LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

%P- iop?rig|l]ftt 



IL-Li li li'* IL Jii li' S 



FlU) M 



i'JdiJiiy^ )y^^ilfc3^ 



-:BY H. M. HOLMES.: — 



Kvt'iy life is a hook — Exporieiices iiri' li'avos. 



"Ars t!i>'(" iiMsw.'i-.'tli to riicc ill water, su tli 







OPWASH^^^^1 



CAMBRIDGE, ILLS.: 
B. W. Seaton, Printer, Chief Office. 




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Entered accordins: to Act of Congress, m the year 1883, by 

MRS. NELLIE M. HOLMES, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington 



♦f 



TO 

TIIK IJKr.OVKI) 

DOMESTIC (JIlOl'P — MV 

msRAXi), AM) TUK vorTunr. 
J'ont, wirosK (.uiifTKs'r pkaiskor cKNsriti:, 

I'JiOMl'TS Oi; CHKCKS MY mSIN(; INSIM- 

UATION— WHOSE LOVK IS MOllK TH A N 

lAMK— I DEDICATK THESE FEIT- 

TEIlTXfJ LEAFEETS. 




A Message 41 

A Spring Expeiienoo 46 

Absence fi:i 

A world wide circle of Pniyer. ... 6T 

An Experience 72 

A Tribute 79 

Autnmn 84 

A Leaf of Life 86 

A Goodly Vine 104 

An Revoir 120 

A Token 12? 

An PJmbleni 1:^5 

"And they shall be one tlesh" 1 87 

A -Soldiers 'j^Portrait 170 

A June B(j^quet • 187 

August 5th . 189 

A light fancy 214 

A Plea for the Boys 2l8 

A Souvenir 227 

An Episode 228 

A Broken Chord 240; 

Are there not Persons ... 248 

Album Notes 250 

Brother John at Twenty-one. .. 38 

Bessie 45 

Bereft, but not forsaken 55 

Balm of Gilead 68 

Beauty for Ashes 232 

But not to me returns 5i33 

Baby's Acknowledgement 235 

Contrast 53 

'•Consider the Lilies" 54 

Con Amore 80 j 

Chalice 139 

Clove-apple 145 

Crowned 149 

Chrysalis 1 50 

Col Ellsworth. ]f;2 

Congratulatory 225 

Chastened 236 

I 



Concerning one Asleep 242 

Do they miss me at School ? 22 

Day-break 185 

Echoes 40 

Evening 155 

"Example is better than precept. .183 

Etchings on Wood 237 

Follow Me 51 

First Purity— then Peace 160 

Fifteenth Wedding Anniversary. .201 
GoMen Wedding Anniversary.... 75 

Gone Home 89 

Gold-lined 144 

"Go, work to-day in my vineyard". 151 

Gossamer. ....199 

Good Resolutions 216 

"He hath made everything beauti- 
ful in its season" 16 

Home Carol 34 

"He that bath friends must show 

Hearth and Home .57 

himself friendly" 128 

Heartsease 243 

Invocation 5 

Inscribed on a beautiful picture 
of a fair girl with harp in 

hand 24" 

"I will not leave you comfort- 
loss" '. 100 

I wish you a Happy New Year. . . 103 
"In hope of a glorious immortali- 
ty" 105 

"It is well with the child" 117 

If and If 136 

I wish thee joy ! 171 

Impromptu 178 

Interlude 180 

Invitation 188 

"In everything giving thanks". . .197 
In Memoriam 263 



Katie 

Lessons of the Rain 

Lillian 

Lines accompanying a child's 

gnerreotvpe 

Loss and Gain 

Little Nora 

Lulu 

Little Rosa 



.143 
. 19 



43 
62 
65 
8-2 ■ 
95 

Little Nellie 101 

Looking Forward 112 

Lonisa 12U 

Lift UD your eyes 172 

My Eighteentii Birthday 9 

Mother, dear Mother, kiss me 14 

March 31 

Motherless 70 

Memories 91 

Musings 115 

Moss by the wayside 14G 

May . . ! ' 147 

Morning 157 

"Memento Mori" 175 

My Princess 241 

Now and Then 60 

Oh ! call me Nellie 25 

Our Geologist 58 

Oh a Gift of Flowers 98 

Orange Blosfioms 103 

Ode to 1859 109 

Our Brother 141 

Opportunity 179 

Op«n Sesame .218 

Prayer of the Dying 113 

Pilgrims 114 

Picnic, July 4th, 1861 165 

"Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. 196 

Parody 222 ■ 

Request 44 i 

Retrospective 50 

Resignation .... 64 

Remonstrance 110 

Raillery 175 , 

Resurrection 177 \ 

School-girls' good-night ... 12 ! 

Stay, old year ! 18 



Susie 48 

Snow 108 

Spirit Aigor 123 

Sunset, August 22nd 129 

"She goeth to the grave to weep 

there" 134 

Summer 174 

September 18th, 1872 193 

Sleeping 204 

Song of the Lilies 245 

The Unexpected Guest 125 

The Robin's Plea 6 

To my Husband ^27 

The Laborer 33 

"Through Nature up to Nature's 

God" 73 

"There is a time to die" 85 

To my friend Eliza 92 

Tryst 97 

"They shall walk with me in 

white" 106 

To C- 119 

The memory of the just is blessed. .122 

To Fand M 130 

To the four Motherless Ones 13l 

"The silver cord is loosed" 140 

The great rebellion. 1860 158 

To One in Camp .168 

To Ida 181 

To Lillian 191 

"The steps of faith fall on the void 

and find the rocks beneath". .195 

Twin Immortals .203 

To my dear boy 209 

Temperance campaign song 215 

The Legend of the Leaves 231 

To-morrow 246 

"Using as not Abusing" 206 

Welcome • 77 

Welcome to April 133 

Watchman ! what of the night?.. . 166 
With the gift of a fanciful cross. .206 

We live by Deeds 236 

Young Climbers 94 

1861 164 

1825—1875 207 



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■I ^ 'r 



INYO C A T I O N 



Come ! gentle Muse, whose potent spell, 
O'er field and prairie, wood and dell. 
Hung from my early childhood days 
My own New England's dreamy haze; 
Like her blue summits, which appear 
To mount and blend in upper sphere ; 
Thy fantasies in wayside walks — 
Suggestions thine in simple talks- 
Lifted many a hillock low 
To simulate the. mountain's brow, 
And bent the glory of the sky 
Through rainbow-tinted ministry ; 
I cull thy flowers along the path. 
Some starry blooms the valley hath — 
More, heavy with the dew of tears 
Droop like Spring's early harbingers ; 
Come, twine them with a subtle grace. 
Give each its fitting form and place. 
Among the modest borders let 
Some fragrant immortelle be set, 
That through the fading symbol yet. 
Heart may to heart perpetuate 
The living sympathy which claims 
Infinite kinship — heavenly aims — 
And love, which tips each cloudy night 
With the gilt edge of perfect light. 



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♦^ 



liEAFLETS FROM 



THE ROBIN'S PLEA. 



Come, now, and take yonr pay 

Out of my tuneful throat, 
For fruit you so deplore ; 

Hark! would you change that note? 

rp in this sheltered nook 

My little mate and I, 
Our modest leaf-thatehed hut 

Constructed quietly. 

And while the fabric grew 

With honestest intent, 
Rigrht early every morn 

We paid our daily rent. 

We hunji: the slender wall 

With its soft lining round, 
And then, adventurously. 

Glanced out to view the ground. 

Among the spreading boughs 
These cherries, rosy-cheeked, 

A week or more have been 
Playing at hide and seek. 



^ 



NATINI-; WOODS. 

\\'(* lus(('<l tlicm, of course, 
With imioccnt, hinl-likc (rust, 

(Jnitcful, we tliou^^ht pcrchanfe 
\'<>u pliiiitcd tlM'in lor us. 

And jis jibrojid I flew 

'Vo fcjisl oiy woiicl(;rinjjf eyes 
( )m nature, jiud to take 

Some healtlilul exercise, 

Sweet berries J (jspied, 

Shji|)(Hl lik(; your tliiiiihle, Miss, 
And uuuiy Ji diiiiity meiU 

'IMiey've ^iven me <'re this. 

Those currants, white jukI vi'(\, 
lianj^in^ so plenU^onsiy, 

I surely thought there wen* 
Knou^ii for you and me. 

And wliiie your jjjarden i'v(] 

Our modest appetite, 
Unto another sense 

We ministered deh'pfht. 

VVakinjj^ our (!hoic(?si sonj^s 
Each swift succeedinjj: day, 

Enlivciuirijjj your toil 
With sw(*(;test melody. 

Away on yonder trcie 
(>wn(Ml by your neighbor, then?, 



^' 



♦ ♦ 

S LKAFr.ET.S FROM 



I saw the cherries tliick 
As ever green leaves were. 



And over all there hung- 

A delicate fleecy net, 
With wonder, ill concealed, 

(Questioned the use of it. 

Suspended by a cord, 

A little pendent bell 
Discoursed, at sundry times 

.Sounds sweet and musical. 

But these conveniences 

I now begin to see 
Were not the kind attentions 

They were supposed to be, 

For once my daily round 

As I essayed to take, 
I heard a murmuring voice 

In tones none could mistake, 

Saying, "these saucy birds 
Will all this fruit destroy ; 

Oh! dear! my very life 
They constantly annoy." 

Then followed hasty words 
And harsher epithets. 

Such as one having heard 
Not easily forgets. 



♦^ ♦ 

NATIVE WOODS. 9 



Surprised and greatly shocked, 
Conscious of honest mind, 

I plead, I have not been 
At all to theft inclined. 



'Tis but a fair exchange. 

And well and wisely planned, 
That we, in turn for favor 

Some service render man. 

And may the^reat All-Father 

Appreciation give, 
E'en of the humblest creatures 

PJis bounty makes to live. 



MY EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY. 



What is this mystery that broods 
Over Nature? Winter no longer reigns, — 
But earth and sky are heavy with portent ; 
Some subtle force seems wrestling with this 

vast 
Inertia ; not tke threatening earthquake, 
But a change as absolute, silently 
Creeps through the deep arteries of our great 
Common mother, and this March morn is all 
Aquiver with the tremulous thrill 



10 LEAFLETS FROM 

Of new awakening life. No bud— no leaf- 
But from a giant heart the vital 
Current of a living world connects 
Through countless pulses. Steadily the won- 
drous 
Organism perfects its circulation. 
Sweet and sacred is this ominous hush 
To those who year on year tenderly kept 
The birthdays of the violets, and learned 
The tokens by which the ferns unfurl their 
Curious fronds. With what expectant joy 
Our conscious hearts throb through this dor- 
mant 
Period, detecting in clouds and winds 
Harbingers of animate loveliness, 
Strength, and power. How great and rich 

in reserved 
Resources the friend whom we call Nature ; 
Is there in human life something akin 
To her's? Is this forecast of earnestness 
Analogous to the mysterious 
Possession of inert matter by some 
Mighty soul? Is then my dream of girlhood 
Broken ? Is it time to lay aside the dear 
Delights of childhood hours for sterner tasks? 
Woman hath work to do. The world hath 

need 
Of diligent hands and loving hearts, 
But something pleads not yet. Others have 

left 
Flowery paths and hastened forth to chosen 
Toil. Not yet ! not yet ! Oh ! little wicket 



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NATIVE WOODS. 11 



Enclosing" my pleasant play o^round, why 

swing 
Outward so soon into a wilderness 
Of unexplored fields and doubtful paths? Oh , 
Life instinct with mystery, must I meet 
Thj^ serious visage hence, which like this 
Great still earth clasps myriad purposes 
To wait development ? I thought to cull 
Wild roses this year also. True, they faded 
In my hand while I remembered how Ruth 
Went gleaning 'mid the summer sheaves. 

Strange thoughts 
Astir like hidden rootlets intimate 
That life must grow. Nothing goes backward 

save 
To blight and loss. 

This mellow mold is rich 
In prophecy. I will arise and follow— 
I will take my place among the maidens 
Who humbly glean the precious scattered 
Grain. 



^ 



! I -J l.KAFl.l.rs I'KOM 



s("ii(>(M.-(ii Khs' (nx »i> N KJirr. 



(iood ni.ulit, Itnu-luM-; .uontly Tnlls 
'Phis swtH^l sDund at I'loso of ilay, 
I Ami tlio school room's hallowM walN 

j lA'li(>ini;" Iho mu^^ic say 

j ( Jooil tiii;'lu. 

I (mhhI ui.uht, Mary ; st)l(ly still 

Lin^uvrs it on lii>s wo lovo, 
I Somlinu" throu.u'li our lu^art-^ a thrill 

I A.s wo swiftly homoward imno, 

(Jooil iiiLihl. 

(rood ni^ht, Kllon ; Famiy, toi>. 
With a hoart-warm smilo wo liiviU, 

l>art tho lovinji: li'huu'os throii^uh 
As briii'ht lips in parting' moot, 

(lOOil niulu. 

Ciood iiiiiht, Kauma.swoot ami oloar 

Miisioally tloats iiKhiu-, 
Nollio ami Louisa iloar. 

With a strain of luunnurVi sonii 

(Jooil niiiht. 



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NA'IIN'I'; WOODS. \fi 



(iood ni«;li( (luavors at my sicU; — 

(Quickly turniiij^', I espy 
llaiinah's lonn rotreatinj;' lii^lo — 

"Pis \wv bird-like tones which say 
Good nij?ht. 

(rood ui^ht roj'ui.sii Addic bn^atiios 
With a shy niischicivous fiance, 

And the merry smiles which wreathe 
In each rosy dimple dance 

Good night. 

Good ni^hi sisters, one and all, 
Teachers, brothers, hear us say; 

J^o! the lading sunbeams fall- 
Wearily declines the day, 

(iootl night. 

Kindly greeting, radiant smile, 
Loving glance, and they are gone — 

•Silence reigns a little while 
Broken by to-morrow morn, 

Good niglit. 



i,F.Ar'i,i:rs i'udm 



MOTIIKU, DKAK MOTllKK, KISS M 



Motlior, dear Motlicr, kis8 mo, 

Tin very sad to-day— 
CMoso ((> your bosom press mo 

And driv(^ this cloud away : 
W'luMi 1 WHS a woo lass, MotluM\ 

Vou hushotl my iufaut ory 
Witli words of ot)mfort on yt)ur lips, 

And kissiHl mo tiMuiorly 

riio day is ohaiiirod uow, MotluM*, 

And mauy yoars havi» tlown, 
lUit 'uy hciwt ktH^i>s tiuio, Mothor, 

'rt> boatiuji' of your own ; 
Whouovor tho shadows ^athor. 

Or whou tho wavos aro wild, 
I turn my shallop toward homo 

Ami am a_uai!i a ohild. 

Many aro tho frionds, ]Mothor, 
'Pho sutmy Summor briuu:s, 

Timo is tloot, and lilb is swoot 
Whon lloatinu* upon wind's; 



*l 



NATINI') WOODS. 



\\\i\ \vli(«ii chill (liiys coinc, Mojlici- 

And ImUcrflics luivc llouii, 
\V<' need one loviiifj^ liciirt, IMollicr, 

'rii:i( \V<' Cilll l<';iM 1I|»(»M. 

Tln'ii kiss iiic, Mollici-, kiss nic, 

P'or 1 urn riill of tcMis, 
Nor csui I KJvc any caiisc! 

Vav IIm'sc opprcHHlvci IcarH: 
So Hootlic inc SIS you used, Mollicr, 

Ik'fon^ I (»v(^' knew 
^riiMl every sorrow in the world 

( 'onld not he sliared hy yon. 



As one his iMollier (!oni forts 

I.ot ino bo lulled to h1o(^[), 
I'll bniyer h(^ to-rriorrow 

If you my vi^il keep ; 
My (l(!ar lonj^-sullerin^' i\Iolher, 

J low dark tho world would he 
If to tho Mheltor of your loye 

I never more could lle<'. 



I KJ l.l.AI'l.l'.rs 1 KOM 



111-: iiATii MADi-: i:\'KKY'riiiN(; 
iu:Ar rii TL in irs skasv)n." 



Ilo buUW'lh tlu> yoimi;- Spriuo-liiuo 

Willi mild :nul Imliuy Uiviith, 
Hroak o'or tlu* \\\^>rhl in jiUviluoss, 

'rhrouj»h \V inter's divury tliMlh. 
'Mill lilVM>u(.un»sl»in.u' tViH^ly 

Whilo birds juv i';irollin,u", 
Intoxieato wo niniiuur 

*'(iivo ns peivnnial spring' !" 
Wo ilroani, whilo skios aro smiling- -how 

briof tlu' day ! 
WtMvaki^I I ho glory tatling, passiv-^ away. 

Ilo biddt^h SumuuH' blossom, 

Antl wi*ar a blooming orown, 
*Mid tho wooiUands and tho nuwdows 

WluM'o Spring's tlrst gU)ry shone ; 
lie weaveth rosy garlands 

And llii\geth at t>nr foot— 
And Spring is bnt a ohild, ln>side 

The blooming maid oompU»to; 
b'.ntranotul, wo gather her olVerings rare 
And reuow our vows to tho iSunimrr fair. 



NAIMXIO \V<)<H)S. 

lie hiddcMi golden Auliiiim 

SU'mI (►'(^r Mio wjiviii^ li(>l<ls, 
And rich nbinidiiiil linrvcsl 

'V\\(\ rniidiil scMson yudds ; 
A bright ;md ^j'oi-ot.ous Ijiiidscapc 

\h by 1 1 is bomdy sprcud 
With IVimI, <)r('v<'ry llavor 

And leaf of (^vory shsul*^ : 
Over a bouuliful world h:dh Autumn sway— 
\V(* a('iciH)wi(^d^"o our in()u;ir<'h our Iribulc 

lie bi(hl<'(h hoary Winter 

Willi chill and icy hand 
('onu; sw('(^pin^' o'ct thi^ wat<'r, 

C/()iri(! j^lidinj^ o'er tho land. 
Ih^strin^i^cth pearls in clusU^'s, 

(jllittcrs in Jciwcils rjin^, 
And daz/lcd by his splendor 

A wc^lconie w(5 prepai'e : 
I)os})ite his l'r(>/i(;n coining", spread we his 

throne - 
And Wint(5r n^i^iis o'er us kiiij^'olall alon(\ 

Y(ia, all things hav(5 a season 

And in their time rejoices, 
l*rjiisin^ th(iir (h'oat Creator 

With one united voice. 
Alik(; the (Uoud-capp'd mountjiin, 

Alik(! th(^ valh^ys rais(5 
In everlasting^ (!cho 

A tribute to 1 1 is praise: 



IS LEAFLETS FROM 



Let man crowning creation, superior lionor 

bring 
Nature's beneficent Source — of kino>^ tlie 

Kins:. 



STAY, OLD YEAR! 



Stay, old' year— let tliy little sail 

Stem the swift returnless'tiile. 
Blossoms of marvelous loveliness 

I left waving on yon hill-side ; 
Amaranth leaves of fadeless hues, 

Merchandise in yonder port, 
AVith rich odors and spices embalmed 

Offerings fitting its royal court. 

Stay, old year— there are priceless, gems 

Glimmering back thy dusty way. 
Sadly relaxing, this feeble grasp 

Scattered a shining store to-day ; 
Oh ! let ms now with earnest step 

Carefully the path retrace. 
Laden anew, with precious freight 

Joyfully thy passage haste. 

Stay, old year— there are pages dim 

Blotted too in memory. 
Ere is added the final seal 

Let me revise thy histor3' ; 



♦ J,. 

NATINK WOODS. ]U 1 



(iiv<' UK* Init hack llic spotless hla. k, 
Wasted drops oftlie eriinson (Vnint, 

Swiftly thei) shall this winged shaft 
Deeds of mercy and love njcoinit. 

1 lark ! 'tis the dip of the hoatinan's oar 

Launches holdly the tiny craft, 
Favorinj^ ;;^ales hlow over ine 

Gazinj^ r(^^retfully abaft; 
Never more l)y those radiant shores 

Shall the restless mariner ride, 
Coursing onward the vi(?wless track 

Farthei- adown the river j^lides. 
12th iionr, '{1st day, 12th month. 



J.ESSOXS OV TJIK RAIX. 



Patter, patter, hear the footstejis 

Of the j^entle rain, 
Improvising^ fitful music 

On the window pane, 
Lower the skies but yester morn 

lladiant and fair, 
Olimmerinj^ grey and distantly 

Through the upper air. 

^Myriad crystal drops adorn 
The disjTiaritled trees, 



f--- --^ — ~~ -I" 

20 leaflets! P^ROM 



other myriad lightly rii)ple 

Miniature seas : 
Sparkling cascades, whose fleet mission 

Distances our sight, 
Flowing through ten thousand channel.'^ 

Limitless as light. 

'Neath the sheltering protection 

Of my humble home, 
Where the sun of love is shining 

Heed I not the storm : 
Save a tender thought of pity 

And of helpless pain, 
For misfortune's children wandering 

In this Winter rain. 

Sterner storm-clouds oft encompass 

With their sullen dread, 
Beating merciless and heavy 

Some defenceless head ; 
Frosts of cheerless discontent 

Chill Life's hardiest flowers, 
Driving sleet and hail of scorn 

Banish summer hours. 

Rivulets whose sweet in tout 

To enrich and bless, 
Ice-bound, shiver 'neath the dense 

Mist of selfishness ; 
Sparks ignited from the flame 

Of Divinity, 



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♦ ♦ 

r -r 

NATIVE WOODS. 21 



'Neath Enrth's sordid ashes hide 
Ignomiiiiously. 

But the Spring is surely coming— 

Her inspiring breath 
Viviiies with wondrous vigor 

Nature's seeming death. 
Snows depart— and icy thrall 

Yields the sceptred hand, 
A new resurrection 

Now awaits the hind. 

Shall w^e from the dormant state 

Of inaction rise, 
Fling the portals of our hearts 

Wide to sunny skies. 
While the gentle showers of Truth 

Love's young buds recruit, 
Nourish tlieir delightful bloom 

Up to perfect fruit. 



22 l-KAFI.F/rS I'M{OM 



DO 'nii':Y miskS :mk at sc^hoolv 



Ho tlH\v miss mo n( school ? do tlioy miss mo. 

As ^;;i(luM* lovM fsuHVs at morn, 
Ami l-'artli is imoonscioiisly jj^ildtHi 

\\'i(l» simlii^ht, so rosy and warm, 
Do lIuM'o rmi;or sofl (\V(»s at tlio windows 

And voiros mis|H\d^!ibly d(\n-, 
As tiirnin.u' awMy iialf n^«;-n»lful 

Murmur, "Oh I how 1 wish shi» was lioro." 

D«) (hiw miss moat school? do tlu\v miss mt>, 

As nuMrily noaU^th tlu> chinu*, 
Anil tlu^ liohtost of footsteps oboyini:: 

UastiMi homo at tho noon's ufoIdiMi primo ; 
Do(*s sonu> lov'd om^ turn haok a monuMit 

And musoofa hrii^ht Winter's day, 
\N'hon as now sho had pausod with tho (pu\s- 
tion, 

"Is thoro no ont^ that's ,u\>ini;- my way?" 

Do tlu\v miss mo at si'lu)ol ? do tht\v miss mo, 
As warm u'riH^tm^s tly tpiiokly around. 

And arms that instinotivoly opon 

Hound precious ones quickly are wound ; 



NAT IV I", WOODS. 



Is llicrc <'V('r ;i hn-Mk in 1 lie circle 
A link WJiiiliii;; in Mi:il sisici" cliiiin, 

( )r do llic yoiin^j^ lic;uls cluster closer 
N'>r ever an jibseiij one iiiune ? 

I )o 1 hey miss ok; ill school ? do they rriiss iiie 

It wer<' s\V((el <o he mi ' 'My loved 
]\y those who through sunshine and sluidow 

i<in<lred spirits h;iv(! truthlully provM ; 
Oh ! wIimI cjui e'<'r rivid in vi^'-or 

TIm^ sentim(!id, hciilthl'id and sweet, 
rintitii;- iillections of school ^irls, 

Mndeiirin^^ the pliK'c where they meet. 



Do they nnss me at school'.' do tlu^y miss me, 

Would they welcome my jjresorKrcf n^aiu, 
A\\(\ the lovejight come back to each hri^dd 
ey(» 

As sw(M'tly it heamed on me th(!n ;, 
Would they ^rjisp with the warnujst of pres- 
sures 

My hand, and smih'on me too? 
Then know as a tribute returnlnjj;' 

IJeloved ones, I oft lhiid< efsMMi. 



r ^r 



I X sc K 1 r> 1-: I) 

ON A iii:Ar Tiini. i»i( rrKK of a iwik (iiin 

WITH llAKF IN HAM). 



Why sittost Ihoii with siu-h poiisive air, lair 
Sai)ph()? Is thy iiarp not in tiino that tluis 
Thy i)nant tin^vrs itlly swoop its string-s ? 
Mothinks tliinc* n[)ward look invokos souu' 
Spirit-presonoe to inspire thy music. 
Is it with ohastenoil Joy, or tender 
Sorrow, that tlioii seekest expression in son^;' ? 
Is it a hiy of oldon niolody 
Or a sweot j^irlish sonnet of thine own ? 
C'arelessly tioat tiiy ilark luxuriant 
Hinj^lets from their flowery band, droopin*;- 
In shininj>' clusters on thy graceful neck, 
l^'lows in soft folds thy liji:ht loose robe ; 

Lift thy 
]Mild eye, enchantress, nor wander more 
Through labyrinths of song till I shall 
Somewhat ask. Tell me, dost thou ne'er 

breathe 
Thy heart's own deep impassioned eloquence 



oil! CALL ME NKLLIK. 



oil ! call hk; xNellio ; lot tiic am'iils fall 

tSo pleasantly upon my listening ear, 
That dearly loved home voices musical 

With tendcn- cadence I shall seem to Ixnir; 
I would not that y(\ S(;ek more studied phrase, 

Or with formal politeness near me comc», 
JIabit the stranger in primitive grace. 

And simple manners of the olden hom(^ 



'>-, 



NATINI': WOODS. 



I'poii (licsc slriiin'S ? Wind they nolclo.-cly 

rouiul 
'V\\y \\l\\ linked \vi(h its dearest Joys, its 

roiidcsl 
Hopes? Ojxsi thy lips one moment, unveil 
A little of this myst(u-y that shrouds 
The;' unto me. 

Ah ! why waste sentiment 
On pictures they arc^ dumb to all our 
Pk^adings for heart history, i)assive, inert. 
Hut yet their iUuU) appeal of attitude, 
Or lace, reveals secrets of other lives 
And witli slgiiilicanc<' mirrors our own. 



2G I.EAFr.ETS FKOM ' 



Yes, call me Nellie; with that clianiied sound 

A flood of tenderness is wont to flow, 
I muse of ^lad young- faces clustering- round 

With each sweet lip upturned where'er I go; 
My Father though he speaks it not will dream 

Of the one household child— his only one— 
And Mother dear will always lonely seem 

Thinking- of Nellie when she was at home. 

Oh ! call me Nellie ; I am but a child 

Though woman's mission is upon me now, 
The gushing- feeling's unrestrained and wild 

With childhood's freedom oftentimes o'er- 
flow ; 
Ye would not check this volatile tem[)er 
mine, 

When breezy gusts of gaiety do come, 
Or chide if I should weep, but by this sign 

Recognize Nellie as she was at home. 

Yes, call me Nellie ; there's a vibrant tone 

Within my heart of hearts, while yet ye 
speak, 
Echoing responsive — a sacred one — 

Which this new proof of interest doth wake, 
A unity of purpose quickly fires 

Spirits that to a common altar come, 
A hallowed influence trust inspires 

Like what pervades a family at home. 

Oh ! call me Nellie; there are lips beloved 
Which sometimesyllabled that simple name 



*r 



NATivr: WOODS. 27 



With sacred intonation, n(nv removed 

They hold my ear with everksting claim; 
'Tvvould bring me very near your household 

If witii familiar greeting ye would come 
And trusting Nature's first impulsive voice 
Just call me Nellie as they do at home. 



TO .AIY HUSBAND 
ox uKCKn'iNc; M^ FiiisT li:ttj:u from iiomi:. 



Forgive these faliing tears, for joy or woe 
Ilathquickconnection with interior springs, 

Which fed to fullness, speedily o'erflow. 
Nor of their source or dei)th bring any tid- 
ings,' 

Nor yet are proof of weak ne:^s, the bright 
shower 
Through which sunbeams retiect their glit- 
tering gold 
In rainbow facets, shows as wondrous power 
As the storm-shaken forest drenched and 
cold. 



♦ ♦ 



T 

28 LKAFLl'/rs FROM 



We may not know the secret of tlie brook 
Xoi.sily babbling o'er its shallow bed, 

Or the deep river's l)Lirden, albeit look 

With skill to fatho'.ti each with line and 
lead. 

The mystery of ehang-eful hurrying moods 
Ye cannot run and read nor yet explain, 

Ask April of her skies and v^erdant woods, 
Whenc? and how came their varied shades 
of green. 

How smiles -and tears chasing each other, 
blend 

In a new compound, is an alchemy 
No science has discovered ; how a friend 

Can love yet grieve, remains a mystery. 

Yet have patience ; delicate processes 
Develop like the ever tj^pic germ 

Caressed and shielded, yet retjuired no less 
To reach maturity, knit fair and firm. 

Oh ! blessed sunshine of abundant love, 
Visit my life, producing grace and bloom. 

Oh ! tender, tearful rain, droi) from above 
To nourish virtue's roots, and shed perfume. 



NATIVE WOODS. 



L I L L 1 A N 



There hath come into our home 

A tiny baby form, 
And with the ghul occasion 

A new love-link is born ; 
A precious gift we deem her, 

Prizing her none the less 
Because she clingeth to us 

In utter helplessness. 

A brief month only claiming 

Our assiduous care, 
Part and parcel of our lives 

She holds a noble share ; 
\Her eyes are shining mirrors 

We seem to see in them 
Reflected heaven's own azure 

Lit by a glad sunbeam. 

How little knoweth Lillian 
To what world she hath come, 

In blissful unconsciousness 
She lieth fair and dumb, 



2i) ! 



T- 



:{(i 



m: viMi 



l.iUoM iViiii^iMl i^iMiliim urt^pin; 

Vvo\\\ its proloctin^ cup 
With Jill its (It'Nv.v promiM- 

IVjilntily [\)UUh\ up. 

Oulslrippin;:: hcv sliu:l<t sl:tlint 

haily in our nlVtH'tions. 

'IMuM'o IS no limit now 
To thr luu* I'lirt' whii'h hoviM's 

Witli lijossini;- o'(M' Ium- rost, 
As hinis on tlnttcrini^ pii\iv>ns 

Abovt* :i (low ny nrst. 

As in ;i rnltnroil i^artliMi 

Tin* sp(>tUvss lily st^mds 
!vtX:il anionii tlio tlowors, 

Sal\* \'vo\\\ {[vWWuiX l»antls. 
So onr snnvU bulb in sw »mM w'w 

Ami ohoiot^ oarth otn olop. 
Ilor lW\ Minonu: tin* Ulit\s, 

IUm" I'on^ln^avi Urtod up. 



A bnr.n\n but! t^xi>5\ntii»iii" 

Hol'on* our ojiiior (\vt\s, 
Uospi\>\kinii- I'urtM'nl nurluiv 

A stray l"n>ni Panuiiso; 
nU^st Hlvor of this troasuro, 

Mallow swot^t natuiv's tio 
With b>ttitM* purposes 

An, I i:r;u'ions nilni>^try. 



•I- 



NATIVI') WOODS. ."»! 



(iu'inl Iicr will-some inftiiicy 

SccMin; Irom (*v(?ry ill, 
III soni, it) inind, in pcr-^on, 

Our (Icjin-Ht. ho|M'.s riilflll : 
Mnk<' Imt yoini;r <4irllio()r| li;t|)py 

TfiywcIC Imt -iiire «I<'IV-iim<', 
ll(;Het witfi (liairioiid \iihif, 

'I'lic )»c;irl of iiiiiofr'iic*-, 

\Vc (Tavc no <'Mrthly riclKs, 

\V(; Kcck ii(y^il<i(<l pri/c, 
I'or this our fir.st-honi fl;irliii</ 

I'ar purer wlKhes rise, 
I lonrjr our bnive airiliition, 

\l('.r^\t<'c\ our oU'erin^, 
And Jiiake our liilliaii 

A (lauf^liter of fin- K litt^. 



iVI A II (• II . 

'Mifi la-t i\\'^\\Vn (ltirkn(;.s.s, ,M;nvii r'.rl(;iii and 

\Ve|)f her last hours away. Th*- fiiiiiisteriiif^ 
Wind tuned its j^r(;a,t viol lo the h-iidenvst 
Key this ycnv liafh faij;.dil, and tliroii;.di its 

in in or 
Scales dcop-toned and inourrdul, a(e(,nipani<-d 
Her tears. P(;a(;e to her inr'nir^ry. I'orf^'cl 
Iler frowns, hr;r sornetiine unkijid erHjiiteii- 

anee. I 



I ;J2 7. i: A F I. MI'S vnoM 



Hath slu' riidoly entreated the youiiu- hti(l>. 
Or bowed tlie shrinking" sa|)liii,u-, or wantonly 
Hut1"et(>d the hoary oak ? Let fhis atone - 
She wept, llatli she sniiU'd ni)on the rare 
I'rnit-proinise and then frozen it with her 
Cohl thi>i-ers? llatli she refused tlie prayer 
( )f shiverinu' branches pk^adinu' to be eh\d ? 
l>etained tl>e«irass-l»Ia(les witliin their Winter 
I'^astnesses? I<'riu'hted the sonu-birds, or tni'- 

ned 
Tile train of wild Li'eese retrograde? "Set 
It not ilown in malice." The errors 
Of the repentant (h'ad k-ind nieniory 
Shronds, and wreathe- them with their vir- 
tues as 
W'itli tlowers. Oiu' niuht slu' robed the ti'ees 
in ermin(\ every little shrub was 
MntUed, all the vines bun*;- fairy, 
feathery festoon*. A^>"ain she fashioned 
.V crystal settin;»-and the world shone like 
Knchantment. l>;'iiohl how swift her court- 
iers 
Learn another's bidding'. April hath won 
The tii'kle skies to smile out of their tears 
lM)r her. To-morrow she will clothe them 
In «;'ol(l livery, or sable frin^'es, as 
Best betitteth her capricious humor. 
.\ little power proveth base mottle, 
Or ^iveth play to iioblo faculty ; 
I remember when April ruled the kinijfdom 
Like a fretful housewife ratluM- than 
A beni.L'iiant sovereijiu. 



A^ ♦ 



I- 

XATtVK WOODS. .'};} 



Oh ! I am 
Slow (^\L']ian^in<? friendships. I herald not 
Ilcr praise, bat follow afar the supple 
Muilitude till I iiencefoith shall prove her. 



T II E L A BOR E II. 



Psitientiy o'er the broken sod 
Day by day doth the ftirnier plod, 
Mohlin<4- liis plow with firm, stronji^ liand, 
Tiirninp^ the loose and mellow land. 

ilisino: up wlien the first gray dawn ; 
Heralds tlie glory of coming morn, 

Blessing Ids frugal, sweet repast, I 

Out to his daily labor hastes. | 

Cheerfully going forth to sow, ! 

Never fore-knowing which shall grow. 
Scatters broadcast the precious grain. 
Waiting the early and latter rain. 

Carefully checking noxious weeds 
Which choke the life of tender seeds, 
Winding all day from dewy morn 
In and out of the shining corn. 

X^igilant, tireless, patient care 
Month after month and year by year, 

+- 4 



4^ 



I, i: A!' I. Ills I'lJOM 



Doiii};- nil lli;i( his inii;Iil can do 
Never makes a sinLjIc l(>alle( m"()\\ , 

I"'ainliiiH" (»r liopcriil, prcssiiiu on 
'i'lir()ii<;li Hood or drought and lniniiiiL;- sun 
\'ain Ins labor and sad Ins lot, 
Tlu' ( Jod of the harvest hiessiiiii' not. 

Lahorers liearinu' imniorlal liiaiii 
(Jod hath set on llis livini;* plain, 
In each portion the pronusc* leaves, 
"i-'aithridly sow, yi' shall ^-ather sheaves.'' 

"Seed-time ai'.d harvest are my eare, 
lliist(»n, I'or earm^st woiU nri^pare, 
lJnheedin«i- pain or weariness, 
1 will repay in Me is rest." 



11 () M i: (' A K (> L . 



I have one little daiij»'htor 

In whose hhu* (wriu'st eyes, 
I mark the ji'low of t»a«;er thou«;ht 

And n»ad rich liistories: 
Slu^ will «»'lid(^ to my sidi* 

From her careless play, 
She will }4'a/i' ii» >ny faee 

In her winsome way, - 
NVitii tlu* velvet toueh 

On njv shonlder laid 



NATIVI') WOODS. 



;r) 



*r 



or her lilllc li;iii(I, 

W'liicli l!:illi oih-ii in:i(Ic 
My liCMil wildly llirill, 
Or }»t once slniMJ slill. 



SIm' IimIIi :i V}i<^uc. wiM .> <'!iiiiiM; 

l''or H()in(?thiiij< iiiMlolincd, 
AiKJ she HtrivcH to satisfy 

11 cr rcKtIoMs little; in i rid : 
W ill) her cycH how sho tri(?s 

JA^rytfiiii^ to sec, 
W'lirit slic licjirs with her (jirs 

Poiidi'is muMin^ly, 
i Jkc IIk' |»;ill('riti^ ruin 

'Ncalh tin* (Jrowsy <*hv<'S, 
Or Iho rustling' fall 

or tin- AutiJitirj IcsivcH, 
Do th(^ (jucstioris slip 
I'ronj li<r ro-^.y lip. 

SIm; liJilh Ji litth- -islcr, 

With hair of Huriiiy hrown, 

Whose voir!(viH over unto Ihth 
Wliat echo is to sound. 

In her (;yo, rnorrily 
Twinkle Hparks of niiri li, 

In ils f'Up, huhhies up 
I'>c(5 as air to cjirth, 

In a moment more- 
Fitful April ehild ! 

How the tear drops i)Our 
Wher(; th(; su/dij^ht Hmih<l, 



♦ ♦ 



>so\v, the sky is clear- 
Ami iiDW, (.'loud- api»car. i 

j 
In tln> twilight's hiisliM jxliniiHor I 

Daylight fading;- silently, ' 

Mark upon tlie wall t!u' shadDWs ; 

Flitting swiftly, airily, i 

To anil IVo— there tliey j^-o 

C'liasing- one anc^ther, — 
Little feet— tripi)int>- fleet, | 

TiirninLi', kis- eaeh other. ! 

TluMi at last subside i 

Xoisy o-loe and wonder 
And the merry eyes 

Drop away to slumber. 
Then 1 sit me down 
Oft and muse alone. 

With a briinmin;^: heart of questions, 

Hopefully, fearfully, 
Strive 1 through the distant future i 

To reail their destiny. \ 

And I know where the How ' 

Of life's stream is teiKlin<i-, 
Tnless love fully prove > 

Faithful, unendinof ; j 

The restless risinj? 

Ofthe fettered soul, i 

riie stormy wavelets 

Oftentimes that roll. 
Proclaim good or ill 
Waitiiio- on the will. 



XATIVK \V()()!>S. 07 ' 



One little ^irl 1 fear nw 

Will tread a weary path, 
For she is sadly laekiiijif 

riie principle of faith. 
She re(;eives and believes 

What her (iye« have seen, 
Hut sh(; must takci on trust 

More tlian this I vvc^en. 
Father! let Ikm* not 

On lif(!Vsea he lost, 
Driftinjj^ far nsldc; 

W(;ary, tcunjx'st -tossed. 
Open thou tiicj harhor 
Of tiiy lov(! to Ikt. 

Tvvinin<i: arms (?ncirele m(; 

Shielding now from sorrow, 
liut we eamiot know the drauj^ht 

Which awaits the morrow. 
Many a child, once that smihul 

Innocent and free, 
Sorrow-stain(Kl, hath complained 

Lon^ and bitterly. 
Savior ! once a child, 

Earnestly we pray 
Guide these little ones 

In the narrow way. 
Let thy lovinj^ arm 
Shield from ev(;ry harm. 

I bend me o'er each pillow 
Ere ch>se my weary eyes, 



^1- 



^^*^ J.EAFT.KTS FROM 

With an (.'arn(\st iTtros[)e('t 

Of teiulor nienioru^s ; 
Slern aiui true, tlie roviow 

Of the day is passinar, 
Krrors here, doubtin.<»s theic, 

IMy sad j> lance retraein«>-; 
Sometimes sadly wayward 

Older children prove, 
Would they turn as j^ladly 

With repentant love, 
Lost one-half the hitter, 
Sweet would be still sweeter. 



BROTHEll JOHN AT TWENTY-ONK. 



My brother, your first score of beautiful 
Returnless years is full. As throut»-h the 

Golden 
Gate, the traveler sweeps the swift recedino- 
Landscape, mountain and luxuriant vale 
On smilino'shore, then turns to breast the low 
iNIonotonous stretch of boundless waste un- 
known. 
Undefined; so you serenely glidin": 
Out Youth's o^olden g-ate, with backward 

j»'lance catch 
Retreating: shores and halcyon skies 
Of Boyhood's sheltered bay, and turnino-, face 
With serious earnestness the open main, 



^ 



NATIVK WOODH. -V.) 



WhiU; crc^.stt'd and uphi'aviM^-, tossing you 
Hints of my.stcry in its spmy— its wonders 
Unexplored, unfeared its treacherous forces. 
Faiily embarked on limitless ocean 
Your white sails woo favorinj? jr^les and 

bravely 
JSland to sea. 

As earlier hiunclied, o'erswept 
By brealvcrs, imperiled oft, yet sure 
Of the main channel, I note your course 
And si<^nial back. Oh ! joy to know who holds 
Your helm— wiiose sealed orders you bear. 
Beware of shoals nor trust. invidious 
Calm — c(jnsult thc^ friendly beacon— study 
The chart— let no untimely trade wind 
O'er-take your idle sail— Watch! 

As a goodly 
Merchantman gather rich cargo, gold 
Of experience, precious stones of holy 
Purposes and noble deeds, pearls that pass 
Current at the Upper Port. One voyage 
Longer or shr)rter, now swift scudding o'er 
Smooth water, anon slow laboring 'round 
Some dangerous point 'gainst adverse winds, 

still 
Ncaring the haven of your hope. 

Dear broth er, 
Not as wrecks let us be cast upon 
The Sapphire Shore. F.ull rigged and taut 



-f 



f 4 

I 40 LKAFI.F/rs FROM I 



And richly IV^MU'liti'd may its sliininor smihIs 
KfiHMvi^ us, wliilo otliiM' iTaft tractMnii" wido 

waUo - 
I'\)llo\v our u:loaiuiu}j:Vail. 



KUUOES. 



W'luMi the rosy suMli«;ht 

(JiUls tho oastoni .sky, 
And tliiMhirkuoss Hccth 

Swiftly— silently, 
C'liildron's l)oannnj>' lacos 

With the nu)rnin«j oonie, 
Mako the inner sunshine 

liri^iht in inany a home. 

When tile birds j»:o winjifinu: 

From their (luiet nest. 
Merry bird- like voices 

Min^linir with the rest 
Make tlie houseliold musie 

Keho full and elear, 
Puttinji: in a chorus 

Sweetly here and there. 

While the hours are hasting: 
Throujih the busy day, 

Little feet <;() trippinj** 
Each familiar way, 



♦ 

... 

XATIVK WOODS. 41 i 



And tho plfitisimt iviurrnur 

Of their joyousiHi.SH 
Is alike exi)reH.sivo 

or our hiii)i>iiie.s.s. 

So our hearts k(Ht\) freHheMcrl 

As witii early (l(;\v, 
Memory softly sayinj^ 

We were ehildren too, 
Mak(!s us mild and })atient, 

Makes us jjjlad and t^ay- - 

nd lif(;'s j^rave routine 

(^instant holiday. 



A MESSAOi:. 



A 



My brother in playful mood 
Gave mo this sheet of white, 

And hade mo across the sea 
A little messa<^o write. 

Ah! how to the far unknown 
Shall I launch this tiny craft? 

This dove with an olive branch 
What favorinj^ br(;ezes waft ? 

Swifter than white sail gliding 
Yon blue waves, is the winj^ 

Of thouf^ht, to ends of the earth 
O'er the loved hoverinji:. 



-\- 



I- 4 

42 LEAFLETS FROM ' 



Brighter tlian jewels of gold 
Are affections that cling, 

They lieighten the bliss of living 
And sweeten everything. 

Over us all is the dome 

Of one glorious sky, 
Over us all is the watch 

Of one Unsleeping Eye. 

!So whether we walk the hind 
Or ride the restless deep, 

We trust one Potent Hand 
Our l)est treasures to keep. 

Here's my hand and kindly wish- 
May sweet delights of sense 

And pure soul-felt pleasures 
Enrich experience ; 

So that this passing journey 
Speed safely and joyfully, 

Ty[)e of a prosperous voyage 
On life's uncertain sea. 



^ 



r 

NATIVE WOODS. 48 



LINES 

AC(;oMI'ANVlN(; A child's DAGU ICKHKOT V PR. 



Swecit baby May, they've pictured tliee 
In thy y()un<j: buddinj? b(!auty now, 

Kach cliihlisli feature fait'.ifully, 
K'ach charrninji^ cast of lips and brow. 

They've cnut^ht the sunbeam [)eeping out 
Frofn thy soft eyes of lau^hinj^ blue, 

Thoui^h half-way veiled, their liquid light 
lieveals a glance of mischief too. 

They've chained each tress of sunny hair 

All carelessly as last it lay, 
lO'en its faint tinge of gold is there 

Like morning's early mellow ray. 

Here is the shadow of a smile, 
The rose suffuses either cheek, 

And parted lips caught in the act 
Though silent — eloquently speak. 

Aye, they have borrowed every charm 
The slight form bears so gracefully, 

The tiny hand, the dimpled arm, 
In their round perfect symmetry. 



4 

T 

I 44 T.KAKLF/rs FROM 



I But this they've sought to st(>al in vain 
I (■liildiiood's t'oiitUIiiiji: trust and h)ve, 

I Beyond the sun, despite tlie chain, 
1 Their perfect impress lives above. 



UKQUEST. 



'CUi : iii.v IVifinls. li;i\f Vf lurgotti'ii t.' lua.v lor inu 

My brother beloved ! 

I crave earnestly 
One boon, that a breath 

May confi'r upon nie. 

Your sensitive heart 

Its 8:enerous care, 
With the poor and needy 

llejoiceth to share. 

Enfold iuji: your loved ones 
When you bend the knee. 

Let your scope of petition 
Embrace even me. 



NATIVi: WOODS. 15 I 



-f- 



BKSSIK. 



HoKsiii is ;v merry maiden — 
Blither and jj^ay and full of Uo\)v-, 

Aiui her heart retains its freshiK^ss 
liike tiie dew in lily-cui> ; 

Hessi(; is a child of nature:, 
Sportive, hriininin^ o'er with glee, 

Timid, coy, yet all the sweeter- 
Bessie is tlie g:irl for me. 

Bessie is a for(;st wild flower. 

Blooming in its fartlu^st dell, 
And the birds and all tin; blossoms 

Know the little fairy well. 
Bessie's eyes are lik(; the sky-(h4)ths 

In their azure brilliant hue, 
If you see my ^entUi B(,'ssie 

Maybe you will love her too. 

Bessie is not vain— co(iuettish. 

Artful— all devoid of trust, 
But it only takes a moment 

To producer a t<;ll-tale blush ; 
Jiessie is all ^rac(! in motion. 

There's a lij^htness in her stc^p 
You'd attribute to some si)irit 

You have fancied in your sleep. 



4() LEAFLETS FROM 



Bessie's voice is like the music 

Waking in a poet's dream, 
Oh"! you'd think the birds had taught her 

Or the little dancing stn am ; 



Newlj^ charming every day, 
'Tis no wonder that I love her, 
Bessie is the girl for me. 



A SPRING EXPERIENCE. 



The hardy little lilac buds 
Peeped forth one sunny day, 

While Winter slept behind a hill, 
And Spring stole forth to play. 

The soutli wind softly whispered. 
The skies bent smiling down, 

Invoking brown hills and prairies 
To put their beauty on. 

But the early buds were timid, 

They heeded not the call. 
For they feared old Vv' inter's sleeping 

A ruse to kill them all. 

So the daisy slept on the hill-side, 
The wind-flower in the wood, 

And the blue bell 'mid the hazel l)rush, 
Its chosen solitude. 



♦ • ^ ♦ 

«. - - ^ -r 

NATIVE WOODS. 47 I 



And tiic grass blades cluso together 
In their winter covert lay, 

Awaiting- the April sunshine, 
Or brighter dawn of May. 

But the cheerful trusting- lilac 
Put forth its leaflets green, 

Enclosing the future promise, 
Its })urp]e blossoming. 

A storm cloud came floating over, 
Obscured the morning sun, 

And Spring crept back affrighted, 
The day's brief frolic done. 

Stern Winter arose, and casting 

His mantle o'er the plain. 
Bade its foldy, all white and chilling, 

Envelop the earth again. 

'Mid the snowy wreath encircling 
The leaflets kept their trust, 

Tlie bleak wind bowed the branches, 
But the buds were kindly nursed. 

And now they are gladly greeting 
Each warm and welcome ray. 

Hoarding up their grateful fragrance 
To bless a future day. 

Ye may call it a common fiower— 
Ye may pass it lightly by, 



^- 



48 i.i:afi>kts from 

To my lu'ai't 'tis sweetly telliii;^^ 
A nobler destiny. 

For to me it is an emblem, 
With its meek endiirinj^: faith, 

i)f a love no Winter chilleth, 
Which never knoweth death. 



SUSIE. 



"N<it horo but risen. "" 

Your darling is safe, 
Never wailing or sigh 

Shall pass her white lips, 
Or bedim her blue eye. 

In that beautiful song, 
Her soft voice will chime 

Through unending ages- 
Unmeasured by time. 

Your darling is safe. 

The chill of no winter 
Is felt through the portals 

Those blessed ones enter; 
There the sweet buds unfold 

In the bosom of love ; 
No frost of unkindness 

Permitted above. 



■I : 4 

NATIVE WOODS. 49 j 



Your darling is safe, 

Ere a tempest assay, 
The nautilus sail 

Is folded away 
In the beautiful trust 

Of unquestioning love, 
Depths of connpassion 

Beginning to prove. 

Your darling is safe, 

The storm clouds that hover 
With threatening dread 

Each human life over. 
Shall never obscure 

Their glorified sight. 
Who dwell in tlie presence 

Of .lesus the Light. 

Your darling is safe. 
Your arras could not shelter. 

Sin's pitiless blast 
Would frighten and pelt her - 

You writhe in it now — 
She is housed, she's at rest. 

Look up through your dim eyes- 
Acknowledge it best. 



OO LEAFLETS FEOM 



RETROSPECTIVE. 



Good-bye, old friends— you part 

From this fair spot with a lon^, Jjeavy sig:h, 
From thousand springs the rills of feeling- 
start 

And flood the pleasant fields of memory. 

Good-bye, old friends— I came 
A wondering ehild to this far stranger 
land, 
Shared the rude, low-roofed hut— the hum- 
ble fare- 
Hardship and peril of the pilgrim band. 

Good-bye, old friends— how oft 

Those log sides echoed grateful songs of 
praise, 
Rung with mirth,. or rocked with merriment 

The village cradle in its early days. 

Good-bye, old friends— we flocked 
To the brown school house every Sabbath 
(^ay. 

With simple taste the unleavened truth 
Thankfully took and went our peaceful way. 



^ 

NATIVE WOODS. ol j 



Good-bye, old friends— now wide 

Reach the sweet ties of kindred and of home, 
Those many scattered ones through moist 
eyes see 

That lovely vista whereso'er they roam. 

(jrood-bye, old friends— new scenes- 
New faces— churches and fair dwellings 
rise- 
New voices where was silence— silence here 
While«ome beloved sound angel harmonies. 

Good-bye, old friends— we cling 

With strong and loving clasp to earthly 
home ; 
i^ut we as travelers nightly pitch our tent^ 

A little nearer home— nearer our home. 



FOLLOW ME. 



Jesus walking by the sea 
Said so kindly, "Follow me," 

To some fishermen, 
That they cast their nets away 
Without question, from that day 

Jesus following. 

Though He walks no more below 
Jesus on the wayside now 
Seeketh followers, 



■^ 



r 

I ")2 LKAFIiF/rs I'KOM 



Saying in a loviiijj: voice, 
'H'iiildiHMi, 'tis u pleasant choice, 
(\)nu> and follow nic. 

"l'\)ilo\v luM'o this narrow way, 
Treadini*- hravcly, patiently, 

(\)nitbrtin^ the sad, 
Ministerini>' as you may 
Words of cheer and sympathy, 

iNFakin^- all hearts «;iad. 

"Follow me, not so precious 
Ar(^ the heavier foot-prints 

In the ji^olden street, 
As the steps all faint and line, 
Set so tenderly in mine 

By your little feet. 

•'Follow me, a shininj? n^ad 
Leads you on and up to (iod. 

Sure and steadily, 
Though tlie way is passinj^: strait, 
Enter at the narrow «ate. 

Follow, follow me." 



^ 



X AT I VI-: WOODS. 03 i 



CONTRAST. 



A .l.-ar cliil.J icniDvr-il from h li.iiint, of wrotcli(Mliie«H, want ariil 
MiiflVjrin« to tlio deliKhtrt and hU-HHtul iuttuancaH of a beautiful 
••ontitry home, writ«s tliu-i: "Kvorytliing sf!f!rn.» Haying to m« 
'lOlla, J lovft you.' " 

"Klla, I love you." J lark! how swoct 

Th(? tender accents fall 
On the young ear, so iontr unused 

To voices musical ; 
Tiif; soft eye kindles, with a thrill 

T\\(i little heart upboiinds, 
KinfliH-.sH like healing h dm distills 

On the old cruel wounds. 

"Klla, I love you," magic words! 

From which thought swiftly rears 
its first delicious memory 

'J'hrough a wide waste of years; 
J low the drear retrospect of woe, 

The shudder and the sigh, 
Through Life's swift current sends the flow 

Of untold agon3\ 

'"Klla, I love you ;' is this Heaven, 

This fresh delightful air. 
These blossoming fields, these singing birds, 

These forms surpassing fair? 



o4 



l.KAKI.KTS KKOM 



111 my (hirk i^rison-honso 1 dri^aincil, 

Tliiit lip a sliiniiio- stair 
A sniilinj;- aiiiTol btH'koiicil \uv, 

Methinks I iiiiist l>o tluM\>." 

Lovt^! tcnu'h that tuiuMiil Jionl aiU'W, 

Yt» hills rt'spoiisivo riii^-, 
Voj»:hul, fiw winds with wich* ai'chiini, 

Ye woodhuuls ochoin*::, 
ThiMniivorsal thoino, that thrills 

'VUv jxoldoii harps above, 
Somuls as faint pivUule lu'iv bolow , 

Tho woiuirous kt\v-noto— lovo. 



C\)\Sll)KU TllK LILIKS. 



How j4:rai'et*nlly, upon ton thoiisaml tioKls, 
The toiulor liJios roar their variod bloom, 

Throu<»li the h^nji' simuuer days, UMtirinj»:ly, 
Disponsini^ tVooIy, boanty and port'iimo. 

I'nhoodini;" where the teet ol' man may tread, 
Or luiman eyes, admirinj::ly, behold, 

They blnshin*; bend beneath the t\iM' of Goih 
And iiladly tiieir brief loveliness unfold. 



Behold how lovini^ly the waters bear 
ThestatelyXympha'— queen of all her niee— 

Her sea-*ri*een sandals vieini^ modestly 
With snowy beauty of her reyral dress. 



NA'IIVK WOODS. 

Tlicsc wsiit n\)(>u lli'-ir <io<l IVoni Mlt;ir,-^ pure, 
'IMu'ir lowly ollV-fin^' ol' inccns*' niisc, 

Willi tlicir lirHtopcniri;^' bloom, tlio (iclds n- 
joicc, 
'I'Ik* ^nitcriil nir is full of oflorous praise. 

They toil not - iieillHT spin yl nii^'hticst 
kiriK, 
WliOH(5 ^''^'.y borrowed jrenis from every 
land, 
y\nd costlieMt array, eoidd ne'er eoiripan- 
With simplest, wonder of the Makei's hnnd. 

Oh ! y(^ <A' fUt/(if<(Uli! if (iod so eloUie 

The humhlest j^rass thai spring's beneath 
yoiir fw^t. 

Shall II(!not rather from Ills ample store, 
Provide; tlKigarmtiiits for Hisehildren rncxjt? 



liKIlKl T, J {IT NOT FOJISAKKX 



Ov(;r in the shady (rorner 
When; in (;hnrch I used to sit, 
Many a Sabbath 1 haveK(;en, 
(And J H(!em to sec; her yet,j 
A t,'(;ntl<; j<irl with pr!nsiv(; featur<-.-> 
Kindled by a loving <*>'<', 
And a (!(;rtain ^rav(; demearjor 
Oharming m(; uneonbioualy. 



^ 



T : r 

I 5(> LEAFLETS FROM 



Weeks wont by and all forgotten 
Till from school, one Winter day, 
Came my little daugfhter sayinjjf, 
"Xellie jNIaynard died to-day." 
Suddenly a sad misgiving- 
Seized my heart and dimmed my eye- 
How this little stranger maiden 
Touched my tender sympathy. 

Friends, the iron your souls has entered 
And the pain is sharp and deep, 
But a wonderful provision 
From desv)air will surely keep ; 
Perchance from this broken blossom 
Bright eternal buds shall spring. 
And this grievous seed of sorrow 
Fruits of sweet repentance bring. 

Weak and human, often erring, 
Helpless most where most we love, 
How can we protect our treasures. 
Save to lay them up above? 
Having known the tender yearning 
Of the fond parental breast 
By your love interpret wisely 
W^hat your Father doeth best. 

Oh! believe Divine compassion 
Never sends a needless stroke, 
Love beyond our comprehenson 
To each neck adjusts the yoke; 



k 

! NATIVE WOODS. 



Let us sweetly grasp the promise 
Hold out to our struggling souls, 
Live by Faith — life hid in Jesus 
Who the Universe controls. 



HEARTH AND HOME. 



Lot others boast their titles 

Of glory and renown, 
We sing the brave Republic 

With every one a crown ; 
For a firm, broad foundation 

We lay our corner-stone, 
And bright upon our banner 

Emblazon "Hearth and Home," 
flome ! the key- word of charmed sound 

Melodious the world around. 

Wherever golden harvests 

Follow the shining plough, 
Wherever bloom and verdure 

Out of waste places grow. 
Where thrift and genius fashion 

Their monumental stone. 
Their goodly seed was nourished 

Beside the Hearth at Home, 
Home ! the key-word of charmed sound 

Melodious the world around. 



Oil! tcinplos of luniian lovo! 

Within your siuMH'd walls 
Trciisiiros of kuo\vU'(l<2:t» and skill 

Await occasion's calls, 
The household ministry 

Hold rank anion*; the ^reat, 
Hearth and Home are mij^htier 

Than all the halls of State, 
Home! the key-word of charnuHl sound 

INIelodious the world around. 



OURGEOLOCHSr. 



Well ! here comes 
The A[>(»stle of the rocks, wise, ji:rave, 
Imperturbable, and yet withal 
CMad in such jjenial humor, as conceals 
And beautit'u»s all the sliarp an«iles 
Of his character, as the fri^sh, jrrati^ful 
iSloss, rearinu: its d(»licate tufts, adorns 
With wondrous grace the gray old stones he 

loves. 
Heware, yo fossils of a former race ! 
Lest with the keen shafts of liis wit 
He suddenly transfix you. 

Plying 
The mystic key, lo! he unlocks Nature's 
Vast treasure house, walks familiar 
'Mid her mysteries, skilled in her laws, 



na'imnk woods. r)j) 

Stiilinj*' to j^nu'cfiil did ion \wv forces, 
Jlcr iruicliiMcry, and her wonders, wroii<»ld 
A^es (U'e he hejiian to breathe the lofty 
Inspiration of a iuinian sonl. 

Down 
In her iMl<l-carth laboratories 
Oft a j^uest, sealinjjf tiie luoinitain t()|)s, 
Standiny^ intcMpri^ter l)etvveen th(i nii<«ht\- 
Arehite(;t and man, 1 lis crownini*- work. 
Aye, thou hast been so faei^ to face 
With Deity, wliat wonder if tliy 
ConntcMianee shone, and they wlio saw, 

IvHovvinji: 
Not why, call thee l^nthusiast? 

I <2:ive 
Theeeheer! th(^ treasures of thy knowh'd^e, 
liike tho unwritten volume thou hast learned 
To trae(\ are unex[)l()red and dim 
To my benijjfhterl vision. I hav(> seen 
What tonjj^uci ean iK^ver t(^ll in Mower 
And tree, heard ii f(»w notes of the j;»:reat 
Anthem chanted continually 
In Nature inanimate and animate; 
Hut thou, by ilw broa<l If^ht of Revelation, 
Dost pursue material treatises. 
And day by day j^row in the wisdom 
( )f the (ireat rnsearcliable. 



♦ 

r ^ — " 

I 00 LKAFLETS FROM 



NOW AND THEN. 



Wanderino: aimless, one by one, 
Over the huntino- grounds, once their own. 
With stealthy steps which, many a year, 
Rivaled in fleetness the startled deer, 
The scattered relics of mit>'htiei' days 
Seek vainly a quiet resting place. 

Back to the farthest solitudes 
The white nian's footsteps hath [)ursued. 
Populous cities with busy tramp 
Have taken the place of tented can)ps 
Who?e dusky forms have glided on, 
Sadly in wake of the setting sun. 

Where the cunning huntsman bent his bow. 
And the mighty tread of buffalo 
Echoed, along the silent plain — 
Behold the harvests of waiting grain 
While the keen swift blade, and iron hand 
Reap their bending wealtli at their lord's 
command. 

AVhere the rustic wigwam once uprose 
Is reared the cottage— the orchard grows— 
The taw^ny children once at play 
Have changed to a fair-browed group to-day, 



^t. 



NATIVE WOODS. 01 



While i)()n(lerous pillars, with gloaminpr spires 
Arise from the smoke of the old watch-fires. 

Alas, that th(3 i)Oor red man should know, 
111 his paler brother, a deadlier foe 
Than the Imnted beasts of his native wild, 
(^r hostile tribes in their greed for spoil, 
Who with heart of murder, or hoi)e of gain 
Binds the dread fire-water galling oluiin. 

Alas! that a nation, rising up 

In the strength of right from a foreign yoke. 

Should trample the weak 'neath its grinding 

heel. 
Or make its bidding a tyrants will. 
Or forge the fetter, or raise the rod. 
Or stain this heritage with blood. 

Alas! that the chains of vice and crime 
Encircle men's souls in this golden time, 
When the wide world spurning tyranny 
Rises to love of liberty. 
And Christian's prayers and patriot's blood 
Hallow the ground by their armies trod. i 



Rejoice, for all tyranny shall cease. 

From bondage of sin there is sure release, 

And the poor, despised, down-trodden, may 

Arise Christ's freemen, another day ; 

The wrongs of earth shall be righted then, 

And His glorious kingdom ushered in. 



()- LKAFLETS FHOM 



LOSS AM) (lAlX. 



Oh! a world of tivasuro wo hel<l 
In bright lips and spark iinj:: eyes, 
And ringinji: melodies^ 

Of bouyant childish Joy, 
Health and bloom in each rosy facv 
Full of niotinn and full of u'race, 

Our darlinix g-irl and boy. 

How ono brief week has bereft ns— 
Eyes havolost lustre and light, 
And the frost's untimely blio-ht 

Has paled the roses ; 
Weeping taketh the plaee of song. 
On eaeh merry, musical tongue 

The hush of death rei>ost»s. 

We sit by a desolate hearth, 
But the little ones who sleep 
Jesus shall watch and keep 

With tender, tireless care, 
Transplant to his heavenly home. 
Array in new vigor and bloom 

Our beautiful angel pair. 



r *r 

NAI'IN'K WOODS. 08 I 



ap>si:N(K. 



I miss theo, dear one, wluni th(^ rosy lij^lit 
BeaniH soft and hallowed u|)on morning's 
brow, 
When in pjy eirclets flit the sunbeams bright 
Tuning: to measure sweet theirgolden flow, 
While throng' day-duties vomes this conscious 
pain, 
Thy pres(!neeeheers me not, [ miss tlieethen. 

I miss thee when with liusy echoing: tread 
Swift feet come heraldinj^ approaching noon, 

The moments loiter which with happy speed 
Wingetl this little hour, alas! too soon ; 

All gather round the board, 1 list in vain 
For thy light footfall, and I miss thee th(!n. 

1 miss thee as around the fireside's glow 
Beloved ones circle, when the day is done; 

Uipphis of genial humor lightly flow 
Through depths of earnest converse, but 
there's one 

Exile from home, for whom with eager ken 
I search the silent night, I miss thee then. 



•f 



I ()4 I.KAFLKTS FROM 



KKSKiXATION. 



When last that younj;-, fresh lip 
With itseiioiceiUH'tar iaik'n pressed youroiwn, 

That brief delieions sip 
No token brought thee as a wai'nin.i;- tone 

That 'twas its hist. 

rhis cheek— its soft peach bloom 
I Lath rested upon thine so lovingly, 

Tliis keen dividin*:: sword 
Smites throno:h this tenderest love, this 
youngest tie, 

With double edge. 

llow oft his innocent smile 
l"'rom life's excess of weariness or pain 

Thy spirit hath beguiled, 
And won the olden happiness again 

To clothe thy brow. 

I tremble, as 1 think 
Of the fond ho|)es which here their center 
found. 

The agonizing shrink 
Of clinging tendrils, hastily uiibound, 

Or broken otl'. 



NATIVE WOODS. * G5 



But wluMi my raptured sij^ht, 
]3eyond the shadows of this lowly vale, 

Catches 'mid Heaven's own lijj^ht 
Tiie wiiite robed cherub from the flesh un- 
veiled, 

My tear.s depart. 

My trembling? lii) hath pressed 
Tlie jjure pale foreliead of the early dead. 

And oil ! the loveliness 
Of the fair form that colhn cover hid, 

No t<)n<4'ue can tell. 

My heart jj^oes weepin<»' forth 
To shares the wound no human [)owiu- can 
heal ; 

The furrows sorrow makes, 
Willi infinite love One Hand directed well— 

Thy will b(; done. 



LITTLE NOKA. 



Asleep, with dimpled hands folded 

Over her breast, 
Upon the blue eyes so lightly 

The white lids press. 
Earnest we watch, half expectant 

The wakin<?— the smile— the caress, 
And clasp the beautiful vision 

With murmurs of tenderness. 



*}- 



(U) i.kafij<:ts fi:om 



Ask^ep— upon tlie inwv iorehoad 

No shade of pain, 
No care-linos, of grief or passion 

Never a stain, 
Some lullaby unlearned by mothers, 

Some accents i)ersuasive and mild 
Have won to a dreamless slumber 

The eag'er and wonderin"* child. 

Asleep, but not as the livin*^-, 

A\'akinj2: to toil. 
After a nig-ht's brief forgetting 

Life's wild turmoil. 
Putting on grief with the garments, 

(Jirding the weariness round, 
Treading over tlie oft trod path 

Till another sun goes down. 

Asleep to us— to the angels 

Enfranchised, free, 
Clad in the shining apparel 

Of endless day, 
Attained to a holier life, 

Joining the radiant throng 
In the music of heavenly harps, 

And strains of immortal song. 



^ 



J' 

NATIVE WOODS. <>7 



A WORLD WlDKOllUir.KOK PKAYKK. 



Out oftliis misty niornin^" breaks, 
SpaiiniM<,Ml»(' worUI, n railiiint /oiu^ 

Hindin-- chjscly "Willi ^luniii^- links 
Peoples and nations anil tribes in one. 

Lo! it brifjjiitens tiiesea-^irt isles, 

Circles the broader eontinent, 
Flashes whevc^ ceaseless Summer smiles 

Added jijlow of its rainbow tint. 

See! in the distant twili^dit realms 

Darkness and shadow make hasto to tlee ; 

Brighter than Freedom's natal diiy 
It bursts upon sunny Italy. 

Over the wide and pathless main 
Suspend cables of mighty prayer, 

While rays of electric radiance 
Stream in the wake of the "Morning Star." 

Over some earnest kneeling ones 
Never this week shall day decline, 

Weaving the mystic bands that hold 
Soul to its lofty origin. 



^ 



i t>8 * I*KAFI*t:rs KKO>l 



l^Al.^l OK ini.KAP. 



Thou ;\rt fallen, noMo tnw 

In tlio du>t thy on>\\MHHi head lyinjj, 
Whilo a sharp panir soi/.oth nu^ 

Like an oKl friend's dyiii^r; 
Vounirer thou than I : 

I have iTviZtHl with pride 
On thy bninehinsr shade 

SpnwdiniT irrivn and wide. 
Ami tl\y stately form 

Towerinsr more and iuort\ 
Whioh for years hath sIihhI 

Sentry at the dixir. 

When the sjhul youuir Sprinjr-tinie ininie 

With her all-aninu\linir hrwith. 
I have stvn thtv lay aside 

*l'he livery of lX\\th ; 
Out, in hold n^lief 

'iitvinst a ohtvrle!^ sky. 
tMine the frairrant buds, 

IVvpiuiT nuxlesily. 
Anil the early rain, 

8iH>n thrv>Uirh them distilUni. 
All the air annind 

With rich perfume lilieii. 



NAi'ivi: \\\n>ns. 



(U) 



rp into tliy loafy arms, 

or many a bri.u])( May morniui;-, 
1 liavoMHMi ;vay pIuina.n^Hl bird- 

(I'iadly i'i>iiu\ ro{iirnin<;-, 
Ain] thy i;riHMi ioi-* mh'iu 

\Ako a pnhuv luiiii;*. 
Many doniod anil drapod 

Vov {\\o i'viWhovvd thronu'; 
IhiMH^ (ho nuH'kiii.u- bird 

TiiUod ids varitnl hiy. 
And \ho robin San;;- 

Swi'i^tly, I'hoorily. 

A^ t!u> SwiiinuM' day wdih* on 

I'loni tlio hot noon-tido's woary pani, 
\nd lh(Mhiy-}»'od fr* ;u his throno 
SvM)( bnrnin,i»' beams aslant, 

lld(M\01)tOll tlu>u 

Thoir nnwoK'omi^ boat, 
And thy shaiiow foil 

'rriMnblin.n- at onr foot ; 
IJonlk'-.voii'od and low, 

liiko to sonnd of rain, 
\Vhisporini»' biv(v,'.\s s\\i^j>t 

'IMironi^'h thy boniihs a,t;ain. 



l"\^lIod in thy glorious [ninio, 
With thy oniorald armor on, 

And thy ministry of lovo 
One season more boj^'un, 

Thy stroni^' root tempest torn 
I'rt^m its moorings fast, 



♦^ , 

70 LEAFLETS FROM 



Rising now no more, 
The slorm is overpast. 

With heaviness at heart, 
A dim and moistened eye, 

I sit on thy prostrate trunk 
And bless thy memory. 



MOTHERLESS. 



It is not with me as it has been ; 
Something has crushed me. Oh ! this dread- 
ful pain! 
Out of this fearful trance shake me ! wake me ! 
Amid a wreck of broken hopes and shattered 
Purposes, I struggle blind and faint 
With half my heart buried. God pity me, 
There is no comfort else. 

Here centred' all 
Perfect household bonds— the one broad bo- 
som, 
Our dear haven when storms have lowered ; 
Cheerful to plan, and swift to execute 
Love's labor— hands ever busy 
With a tireless skill, shaping some fabric 
To the forms she loved— restless feet, hither 
And thither hasting, chiefest joy to shield 
From weariness these other lives, her own* 
So richly nourished. 



. ■*-■-< 

NATIVE WOODS. 71 



How shall I speak 
Her praises so beyond praise. My life is 
Full of her, as Summer noon of lij^ht. How 
Strong to bear all life's encircling ills, 
In reach of her warm heart. Blow, ye pitiless 
Winter blasts, rave on, Time's thunder-gusts, 
Let me but stand firm, brave and proud be- 
side her ; 
She taught me where to lean, she guided 
]\[y wayward feet unto the cross, but O! 
'I'his staggers me, this is a Mara-flood, 
To roam this cold world motherless— to know 
The ceaseless aching— the inward 
Desolation — to sleep, to w^ake with a dread 
Incubus weighing my late light heart. 
To watch and start to greet her wonted cheerful 
Coming— to feel great ocean swells sinking 
To terrible calm— all this and more. 
Oh ! God, carry me out of this weak 
Human ; stay me on Thine arm, Thou great 
Unsearchable. Bind these torn fibres 
And gird me up to a brave patience. Help 
Me walk in her dear footprints ; her rich 
Example, her love, her prayers, a priceless 
Legacy. 

How know I as I walk 
In the dim solitude of this deserted 
Home, but God will let her come to me 
And mingle with my woe a little 
Of her heaven? Out to that other shore 
My yearning soul reaches. Bridge o'er this 
mortal 



4- 



LKAFLK'IS FKOM 

liitc\ () l\\tluM-I wit'n (UhhIs of love. 
Solf-inunolation ami raro (.•Iiihl-liko faith. 
WIkmi all Thy rl,i;litiMnis will wo hero havo 
SurtoriHl, lot us riso whoro our chiof 
Troasuro is. 

Coino, ^;atlior olosor to my 
Sido, niv littlo, sinifton rtiH'k. 



AN KKPKKIKXCK. 



1 sat in tho dim twiliiilit of my room, 

nKmsiuo- its solitude for rest and thou.u:ht. 

One door away the busy eirolo 

(Jathorod, witli elioerful talk whiliuLithe hour. 

Uuddy with {)leasaut li<;ht and <;iowin,i;- tire 

The faeos eame aud went, and the smail stir 

Of housohold duties, min*;kHl with the hum 

Ofvoieos, wai.s like musie heard afar. 

Soon my little dau^'hter eame within the iloi)r 

C'allini;- to mo, her hands outstretehod, jL?ropinj»- 

The dark for mine. As nearer drew 

The uneortain step, I east my arm 

About her, and she nestled her briiiht head 

On my shouldor with loving- faith and (luiet 

Satistaetion. 



How oft we turn from the ji'ay 
(ilimmer of those lesser ligiits — from tho unrest 
Of those ilopartin«»joys,oallinii', ''Our Father," 



NATrvK woods' 73 

And <;t()1)(' 111 siuMuiii!^- (Inrluicss lill the Strong' 
Ann ollovc enlblds us, iind llio pencil 
Whk'li pt.s.solli liiulcrstiuuliuj'' lills our souls. 



TlIIl()lI(;iI NATinUO lll» TO NATURE'S 



"For llic iiivisil.lc lliiiiiix i>\' liiiii rn.iii llic ciculinii ,,r tlir \v<.iM 
lur cliNirl.v siM'ii, liriii;;- iiiid.Tslnu.l by llictliiii-s Ihataic imulc 
v\i-u liis (.(,.|nal p.ivv,. I- 1111(1 (JoillKa.l s.) tlial Ihfy an- wiliioiit cx- 

Wliirli \v:ty went thy voii'ci IVoin tlicc, didst 
thou h<'nr 
The rush of its d('|);u-tin,i>- wiu^ hut now? 
Cai'st tiiou hy scarcliii)!.': (iud tii' invisil)lc? 
Or th!-()!ioh tli(* triH'lvh'- ; air its course pur- 
sue? 

Whal was tlio word, eau'si tliou at will recall ? 

Send thou swift niessenger.s to stay its iii^iit, 
Jiy [\\v, same path they flee, nor corno a<;ain — 

'Tis a f()rl)id(len way to human sij;ht. 

What is thy countenance the prescMit hour? 

How looks the soul throu;;h its low win- 
dows there ? 
VVould'st its expression willinjrly transfer 

To the vast pictur(>-^a!l(5' of the air? 

How know we what unseen attendants wait 
With faitlilu! witness o4i the steps of man, 



J. 



LEAFLETS FEOM 

At His high bidding, wiiose Almighty Hand 
Hatli all things fashioned by a perfect plan. 

So thin the veil through whlcli to mortal eyes 
The All-pervading Deity appears, 

All His works praise Him, yea the least of all 
Some of His glory like a niantle wears. 

We tra.'C His foot-prints everywhere we stray. 
He walks mnjestie o'er earth's verdant sod, 

Makes the young buds His car(\ and clearly 
leaves 
To willing ej^es the impress of a God. 

His hand sustains the myriads of worlds, 
Attunes to harmony their wondrous round, 

AVhile not a single sparrow's feeble wing 
Without our Father falleth to the ground. 

All know their place, acknowledge His behest, 
And readily their strict obedience pay, 

While njan with his supreme endowments 
blest 
Is ever seeking out some other way. 

AVe call it Nature— the vast volume spread 
To our oft rapt and e'er admiring gaze, 

But oh ! how slow our hearts to render up 
To Nature's God the tribute of their praise ! 

With what glad wonder shall our spirit-eyes 
The book of mysteries unfolded see 



NATIVE WOODS. 75 



While love interprets Science and reveals 
The Infinite Mind, the soul of harmony. 



GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. 



Merrily peal 

Marriage bells 
Out on this opening- year, 

While from East and West 

The hastening guests 
Joj^ously gather here ; 

Silver locks and hoary, 

Like a crown of glory, 
Wreathe the broad high brow 
Calmly wearing now 

Furrows of care, 
And the kindly eye 
Beaming chastened joy 
Proves j-are fulfillment 

Of radiant prophecy. 

Softly mingle 
The tender chimes, 

While from the household cheer 
She of gentle mein 
And countenance serene 

Tranquilly draweth near; 
What though the quick flush 
Of youth's modest blush 



r — 

I 70 LEAFLETS FROM 



llei- t'lieok no longer wears ! 
With the swift hipse of years 

Tlu» niaiileii's clianns 
Add tlie matron's ^race ; 
She beareth re^-ally 
The clustering' honors 

Of half a eentury. 

Hear the Patriarch 

Musingly tell 
The reverent group around 

Strange legends of yore — 

A varied store 
His checkered life hath known ; 
Greeting with, honest i)ride 
His newly wed<led bride, 
Whose plighted faith 
Through many years agone 
Heightened resplendent noon, 

Xow, life's zenith past, 

Gildeth its horizon. 

ChiPp the tried hands, 

W^eld the strong bands 
Surer and brighti'r than iX'-'>^-('ij 

This circle complete — 

These pledges replete 
With wealth that cannot be told. 
Death liath not huslied a voice. 
Number the fireside joys' 

Steady increase; 
The household music's 



^ ^ 



NATIVE WOODS. 77 



Htaid familiar beat 
Hath quickened to joyous carol, 
And patter of tiny feet. 

Summer blossoms 
And Winter o^enis 

In the passing? pageant rise, 
Decay and chan<jfe 
In the distance range 

Their monumental piles ; 

Now from regretful eyes 

The vista dims and vanishes- 
Fat iier and Moth(;r walk 
Down the declivity 
With cheerful step, 
While a rejoicing band 
Pave the steep, rock-y way 
With beautiful moss-tufts, 
And branches of bay. 



WELCOME. 



Ever welcome, ever welcome 

To our modest home. 
To its quiet and seclusion 

Let thy footsteps come, 
Often as thy spirit feeleth 

Need of sympathy, 
Oft as 'tis with joy full freighted, 

Bid us share with thee. 



Jt^ J. 

r ♦ 

78 LEAFLETS FROM 



In thy various roiiiul of duty 

Hopeful tl)OUi>'h thou art, 
Well 1 know there sometime cometh 

Trial to thy heart; 
Are there any gloomy shadows 

Friendship can dispel? 
Are there any heavy hurdens 

Help can hear as well? 

If thy path all straight and pleasant 

Through green vallies lie, 
And a flood of golden sunlight 

Gilds thy morning sky, 
Hoard it not, my generous hi-otlier, 

For a future day- 
Open wide the spirit windows- 
Let it .shine this way. 

Dost thou hesitate to prove us? 

If are wanting here 
All those liner qualities 

AVhieh do most endear. 
Judging like the. blessed Master, 

Full of charity. 
In his heart as any thinketli, 

Written so, is he. 



f -I- 

NATivr: WOODS. 79 



A TJtllUJTK. 



(.'{irvo out an ohony staff, 

Slender nnd straijjjht and slroiijj^; 
Give it'all Hkilful touehes 

That to thy ernft helonjj: ; 
13rin'j: to its racest i)oIi.sh, 

Crown and over lay 
With gold or(!X<jiiisit(! linisli, 

And suitable (inn lily. 

Chaste, significant syrn'ools, 

Delicate flowing lines. 
Characters hold and graceful 

Mingle in rare design, 
That when the radiant [)r(!sent 

Into the shadow roll, 
Indelible imagery 

Be graven on the soul. 

Affection's grateful insignia, 

Merited tributes of praise. 
Type of unfailing support 

Through all the corning days, 
Graceful wand of protection, 

Staunch companion and frienci. 
Ready and and chosen attendant, 

On, to the journey's end. 



4 ^ 

80 rjOAi'Miiors imiom 



CON AMORK. 



I loved lluH', l<\inny, ere tliiiu^ eye 
Kiiullcd i'Xj)rc\ssion in luy own, 

\'('s, loved th(H»tlioii<;'h thou well not nit^Ii - 
The ti(! is only stron|^<'r «;n)wn. 

1 loved beciUistv 1 laneied thee 
A bein}4" tornuHl to J»{un esteem, 

lM)nd friendship's beiuitiful ideal, 
And si^dit but veriticd my dream. 

'Twere not tliy hisirons shining- orbs, 
Nor meslies of tliy midnight iiair, 

Nor smiles like dimpled sunshini^ sprent, 
That made me willing' [)ris()ner ; 

And not alone thy lorm of <;raee 
And winninj4' manner ma(U^ ai)peal, 

lint more endurin^^ loveliness 
'IMian beauty's features, mutable; 

Nor (i'en thy music's wondrous spell, 

Innoeent witchery, alone 
(k)uld tune my heart so perfectly 

Resi)()nsive to each sih'ery tone. 

I looked and lo ! a livin<j^ ray, 
From some interior splendor lit, 



NATIVE WOODS. 81 



i'laslH'd tlirou^h thy Hpirit orifils 
And i'rW, reflected, on my sij^ht. 

I listt^ned to thy thrilling song, 
l*en.sive or joyous as thy iriood, 

And knew tlie voices but bore alonj^ 
The strain by sentiment subdued. 

Fhm harmony within, without, 
Character suitably expressed, 

lievealinj^ and concealing too, 
Humility, crowning the rest. 

Anol 1 am not the only one 
Who cherishes a love for thee; 

Affection's shield would interpose 
To keep thee always sorrow-free. 

Many will yet besiege thy heart 
And gracious privilege [)refer, 

While others, with consummate art. 
Ply subtle flatteries— beware ! 

Happy, if thou dost e'er retain 
. The steadfast mind, the loyal soul, 
(.'harms blossoming perpetually 
And graces never growing old. 



^- 



-\- -— .-— ^ 

82 LEAFI.ETS Plx'OM i 



LULV. 

She liears not the soft music of your voice, 
As lowly bent you clasp her fragile form 
With murmurs of endearment. The hum 
Of insect life, the low sweet sigh of thousand 
AVind-harps hath no sound unto her ear ; 
The voice of fountains and the song of birds 
Is not for her. Alike love's gently 
Modulated notes and the loud truihpet 
Tone. No lisping words of artless wonder 
Proclaim the mighty miracles thought works 
Within ; no sweet and loving accents come 
To the mother's ear from her young lips. You 
Gaze upon her with a double tenderness 
That's born of love and pity. The shadow 
On her life doth darken yours. Forbid 
To hope that e'er again along its wonted 
Labyrinth sweet sounds shall echo, but mark ! 
Life is not all a sealed book unto her 
Heart, its pleasure-avenues are not all 
Closed. Show her a flower— doth not her blue 
Eye beam with bright intelligence? Point out 
A star— behold ! what wonder sits upon her 
Childish face— keenly susceptible 
To touch, or glance, or motion. Your little 
One hath been near to the gate of Heaven. 
How know we what unutterable things 



— .^^^- 

NATIVH WOODS. 8'> 



Lie 'netitli this wob of gossamer tliat floats 
Between, wliat spirit-whispers may liave 

come 
T(j the young- ear, unreached by human voice! 
The delicate sense knoweth innumerable 
Delights. We walk the fields with full-toned 
Orchestra performing Hallelujahs, 
From whir of insect wings or dry leaves 
Rustling to the Autumn breath, to tender 
Tones that thrill the ifnmortal and grand old 
.Afelodies which set the spirit quivering 
Like harpstrings to the skillful touch, the 

swift 
Gradations rise. Familiar accents 
Of voices that we love, insi)iring strains 
j Cheering the multitude to Freedom's strife 

I And Right's inevitable conquest— glad 

j Notes of joy, they strike, vibrate and echo 

Through all time, like the rare passages 
' And full triumphant choruses of the old 

Masters, stirring, thrilling alway. 

Yet there 
Are sounds of woe and mournful cadences 
Which draw up bitter drops from spirit- wells. 
Ah ! who can know the pain that through this 
Medium distills, who calculate the wounds 
By cruel arrows shot along this vital 
Avenue? Who hears the one must sometimes 
Feel the other. What though we walk 
Unconsciously through green enchanted 
glades, 

-f ^ 



♦ ■ \ 

I 84 LEAFLETS FROM 



And over f5inoul(lerin<»' fires, doth not the 

same 
Celestial city lie beyond? 



AUTUMN. 



Autumn leaves are falling, fallin<r 
With a sad and lonely sound, 

And its plaintive voices calling 
Echo mournfully around. 

Autumn winds are sighing, sighing 
'Mid the dry and lealiess trees, 

Requiems for the flowers dying- 
Hark ! the murmurous soughing breeze. 

Autumn birds are singing, singing 

Cheerily a farewell lay, 
With their blithe notes swiftly winging 

Beyond fear of Winter day. 

Autumn sunlight streai\iing, streaming 
Through the mist veil tenderly, 

As if gentle hearted Summer 
Backward smiled regretfully. 

Autumn shadows stealing, stealing 
Through the woodland, o'er the plain. 

In the fading light revealing 
Melancholy brown again. 



.| , . 4 

NATIVE WOODS. 85 



Autumn whispers breathing, breathing 
Whence we know not, hovering 

Like the ghosts of days departed, 
Hither, thither, wandering. 

Autumn glory fading, fading 

Surely, quietly away. 
Gorgeous tints and ripened fruitage, 

Harbingers of swift decay. 

May our Autumn coming, coming, 
Borrow splendor from thy sky, 

Prove our Festival of Harvest, 
Enriching Futurity. 



'THERE IS A TIME TO DIE." 



I would not die when Spring with vernal 
bloom 

Rules the bright day; 
Beauty comes forth from the forsaken tomb, 
Earth is too fair a place, too genial home, 

For us to stray. 

I would not die when ripe midsummer's here, 

With golden grain 
And luscious fruitage ; lesser lives appear 
In full perfection, without shade or tear 

Or trace of pain.- 



86 LEAFLETS FROM 

I would not die when Winter's heavy tread 

Seals up the j^round ; 
Too chill the snowy drapery is spread, 
And lonesome wiwds bewail the lovely dead 

With hollow sound. 

But when Autumn zephyrs softly sighing 

Lingerinj^ good-bye, 
The meek flowers uncomplainingly are dying, 
Kainbow tinted leaves above them lying, 

'Tis meet to die. 



A LEAF OF LIFE 



I sat alone, 
In the rapt hush of early Sabbath hours, 
While thought's mj-sterious spell, as a cloud 
Wing floating in April sky, came brooding 
O'er me. Within its wave-like folds lay 
Shrouded manifold visions of the life 
That is, and to my questioning gave answer. 
I saw a tender bud nursed in a 
Genial soil, spring up and thrive, until bright 
Promise of its bloom peeped forth with 
Delicate tint from the protecting leaflets. 
Then I said, "How" beautiful!" but while my 
Eye sought its first bursting, lo! upon the 
Stem it hung, blasted and withered. Then 
There rose the- vision of a child, fair as 



NATIVE WOODS. 87 

My brief lived rose bud, and she who led 
Along life's path the little one had 
Early learned the ministry of sorrow. 
A holy link bound fast to the invisible 
Was the dear child she cherished, but there 

came 
A summons of surprise, and lo! from her 
Fond clasp earth's stricken daughter saw a 

cherub 
Form mount Heavenward; then my heart 

swelled with strange 
Bitterness, and questioned, "Why is it thus, 
My Fat her ? Twice hath been snatched away 
The young, the lovely, and their place is found 
No more on earth." Then in the mist-wreath 
Floating before my sight, came written words 
Of fire, " 'Tis thine to trust, be still and know 
That I am God." 

1 saw a noble tree, 
The strength and prideof a young forest, while 
Beneath its verdant boughs flourished young 
Tender saplings; but the Autumn winds 
Scattered its leaf robe, and the earth drank 
Its life blood, and when Spring came again 

with 
The soft, whispers in the woodland, and 
The yearly miracle passed upon all 
The trees, no wooing breath, no weeping sky, 
No song, no blossom won the tree back 
To life. Anon, I saw one in the prime 
Of life, around whose brow circled the glory 



^ 



^- 



88 LKAFI.ETS FROM 

Of a iiohlc manliood. His an honored 
Name, and worthily. iJoinestii' joys thick 
Clust'rin<r round liis life endeared irs every 
Moment. Youn<:: eyes soiij»'ht liis for <ini- 

dani-e. 
Everywhere he tro 1 hearts rendered up 
Tlie homa<!;-e due true nohleness of soul. 
But like the forest tree in all its stren<;-th 
And beauty, seared and dead, he too received 
The stern decree that comes to all. My heart 
Sou«?ht strenirth to murmur, but a mi<?hty 

Power 
Restrained and thrilled throu.L>li all my soul, 
"Be still and know that I am Ood." 

I stood 
And gazed upon the western sky, as 
Upward rolled inmassiye shape and an<!:ry 
Hue, heaven's cloud artillery. Dread 
Silence rei<^ned, while from beneath the vast 
' Horizon, stole the masses up with dark 
Or fiery coloring, till the whole had 
Borrowed the fierce lurid glow, and 
Frowning, bent, as if to lave earth's 
Forehead with a fire baptism. I had gazed. 
Awe-struck, until the scene l)ecame for my 
Weak faith too terrible, then I turned 
Aside with closed eyes to hide its painful 
Memory in darkness. But to my ear 
Borne on the tempest's breath there came a 

Voice, 
Saying, "Be still and know that 1 am God." 



f- ^ 4 

! NATIVE WOODS. 89 i 



My Houl bowed to the stern rebuke, and 
A more tranquil frame* came o'er irie. 

Thus oft, 
Do we weak (treatures doubt our Father's 

power 
O'er all that lie has made. When rage life's 

storms 
About our pathway dark and dr(^ar, we fail 
To cast tiie soul's stronjif anchor; then doth 

come 
A<]^ain tliis same mysterious Presence, 
Hayin<(, "lie still and know that I am God." 
While 'mid the din of strife, calmnesssucd-eds. 



GONE HOME. 



"Ami I lir-ard !i Vdifi- fiDin licjivcn H.iyitifr unto iiic, Writ*-, 1)1<ti 
H.-«l :in; tin- dojid which (!!<■ in the Lonl." 

Gone home! his life work done. 
His forehead crowned with years, 

He left at set of sun 
This lowly vale of tears. 

Home! thus at close of day 
Turn the tired laborer's feet. 

Nor heed the toilsome way, 
Thy dear deli|^hts to meet. 



4; 



90 LtlAFLETS FROM 



Home ! on a foreig:n shore, 
How the lone pilgrim hails 

'Mid Ocean's wildest roar 
The fleet returning sails. 

Yet what is home below 
Its joy— its bliss— its love, 

To the glad rest they know 
Who have gone home above! 

Gone home! yes, peacefully. 
With a calm Christian fai.th, 

Whose mighty power can be 
Triumphant over death. 

The Eternal City gates 
Stand open night and day, 

AVhile enter joyfullj^ 
The heavenly family. 

At most, a few fleet years 
Measured out tenderly, 

A little space for tears, 
And then— Eternity! 



f- ^ ' 4 

NATIVE WOODS. 91 



MEMORIES. 



Written lor a friend. 

Roll up the curtain grey 

From our sacred household shrine, 
Sixteen circles ago to-day 

I first called Lizzie mine, 
The precious glimmer of Heaven, 

Through the pangs of motherhood, 
Revealed the sweet assurance 

The gift was God-bestowed. 

Over those luminous years 

Elysian memories sleep, 
From their touching, sad review 

I turn away and weep, 
Taking up so tenderly 

Little mementoes of her, 
Newly embalming them 

To hallow another year. 

Three chastened twelvemonths back 

We have journeyed, sorrowing. 
The oft-trodden rugged track 

Of human suffering ; 
Three blissful, wondering seasons 

Lizzie, enraptured, sits 
Where no knell of passing years 

Enters the pearly gates. 



♦ • J 

i 92 LEA FILETS FROM 



June is here — skies are bri<j;lit — 

The <2:arden is green and gay, 
With reverent step we traverse 

Its quiet haunts to-day; 
Once her light foot-fall pressed 

This verdant velvet sod, 
Who vveareth angelic form 

In the Paradise of God. 

Over the shortened span 

Of Time's weary bridge we go. 
Strong in Faith and rich in Hope, 

Never to rest below ; . 
Home is where our treasure is, 

Lizzie has gone before ; 
'Tis but little till we touch 

The golden thither Shore. 



TO MY FRIEND ELIZA. 



(>ood-bye, sweet friend, my lieart goes mus- 
ing backward 
Through all the checkered i)ast since lirst 
we met ; 
This parting word unnumbered scenes awa- 
kens . 
Whose living presence throng my memory 
yet. 



NATIVE WOODkS. 93 



Back to our rosy girlhood, gay and careless, 

Speeds the swift thought-wing its unequal- 

ed flight. 

Once more we revel in those golden nnoments 

Which vanished, dream-like, from our 

waking sight. 

While dearer loves, perchance, have made 
their dwelling 

In our full hearts, abiding fresh and bright, 
The links of olden friendship bind together 

The little circle scattered far to-night. 

Thy path hath led through weary vales of 
sorrow. 

Alike through meadows beautiful and fair. 
But sorrow's baptism made thy spirit stronger 

Life's blessedness to know, its cross to bear. 

Thou goest from our midst, my gentle sister, 

With cheerful heart life's mission to fulfill, 

Trusting the Hand that led thee through the 

shadow 

To bless the sunshine with its guidance 

still. 

'Mid other scenes and circles thou wiltmingle, 

Many a league from this thy girlhood's 

home; 

Oh! cherish sacredly thine early friendships, 

Whate'er new blessings to thy heart may 

come. 



04 LEAFLETS FKOM 



Our love go with thee with its fond out-gush- 
ing, 
Our kindly thouglits and prn3'e!\s all freely 
given ; 
We trust the circle here so widely sundered 
Will know a better unitv in Heaven. 



YOUNG climbp:rh. 



Written for a prin.ary exorcise. 

Don't you know when merry May 

Practices her magic art, 
Thickly from each tiny spray 

liittle folded buds upstart? 
Froni each beam of sunlight, 

From each crystal drop. 
Fashioning a viewless stair 

TJiey climb lightly up. 

So the little human buds 

Precious germs of thought contain, 
Struggling up by Wisdom's light 

And Instruction's early rain; 
.Step by step the rising grade 

Of the lofty science hill, 
Gained by toil offender feet 

Guided patiently and well. 



NATIVE WOODS. 95 



Nature in material realm 

Teachers for her eh i Id re n finds ; 
lAi^ht and heat and genth> airs 

Vie with sterner discipline, 
Talk of inner ja^rowth and stren<jt)i, 

Talk of upward tendency, 
Till the supple graceful twig 

Stands the tall majestic tree. 

Wi) are little human twigs, 

Teachers dear, we love you all, 
May your smiles and kind restraints 

Help us grow erect and tall. 
In the fertile soil of Truth 

Striking deeper, firmer root. 
Spreading out immortal arms, 

Dropping golden fruit. 



LITTLE ROSA. 



'Mid the din and bustle 

Of the crowded street, 
Little RoGa wandered 

On, with faltering feet, 
Often rudely jostled, 

Ready to despair, 
Cruelly repulsed 

In her modest prayer. 



^ — --I- 



f — f 

I 96 L.EAFEETS FROM j 



Through the lanes and alleys 

Wending day by day 
To the cheerless cellar, 

Where her mother lay, 
Oft in pain and weariness, 

Sometimes full of glee 
At some blessed stranger's 

Heavenly charity. 

Upon little Rosa, 

Brave and patient child, 
All those days of darkness 

Jesus looked and smiled, 
Numbered every sorrow, 

Treasured every tear. 
Made the helpless orphan 

His peculiar care. 

Rosa now is folded 

To the generous heart 
Of enlarged affection. 

Safe from fear and want ; 
Rosa sweetly patient. 

Wearing fresher bloom. 
Is the very angel 

Of that happy home. 



4 

NATIVE WOODS. 97 



TRYST. 



Your path lies over the hay field 

Under the sunny sky, 
\Vi!h the fresh mown «j^rass to sweeten 

liUbor's monotony, 
And mine in the sliady dwelling, 

With the lowlier employ 
or little iiousehold ministries 

Which swell the cojnmon joy. 

Thus each day is enriched 

The granary of Home, 
And the sheaves are bright and heavy 

When evening and absent come; 
We drink from one golden chalice— 

Freely and tenderly share 
Experience, bitter or blessed, 

Joy or sorrow or care. 

Your path is not always even, 

Y^our sky not always clear, 
And sometimes in my horizon 

Threatening clouds appear; 
Over life's troublesome stones 

Affection's mosses cling, 
And the jar is somewhat broken 

By their velvet cushioning. 



98 LEAFLETS FROM 



Let us gather the honey of life 

To i-vveeten bread of toil, 
And give thanks for the wayside roses 

After the day's turmoil. 



ON A GIFT OF FLOWERS. 



1 thank thee, gentle friend, these fresh, young 
flowers 

Are to my heart an offering pure and sweet ; 
They l)ear me back to fiiir and festive bowers 

With their swift wings of light and foot- 
steps fleet ; 
I gaze into their folded beauty-depths, 

Inhale their breath of perfume in its flow, 
And lo! is mirrored there, a glimpse of life 

Transporting me to scenes of long ago. 

I've scanned inquiringly ea^'h budding rose, 

Seeking oftimes to read its hidden lore, 
And sometimes the soft petals will unclose. 

Blooming far sweeter than they were before, 
And to my spirit's ear will gently steal 

Low murmurs, musically flowing. 
Imparting ecstacy we only feel, 

And, ere we find expression, going. 

There's other bloom as eloquent as this. 
Each hath a language that is all its own ; 



NATINVE WOODS. 99 ! 



Some eherisli fondly the gay sunbeam's kiss, 
Breathinji^ their life out as the day wears oh, 
While others with their drooping heads bow- 
ed low 
Hide their young* wealtii through rosy 
morning light, 
Nursing bright dew-drops in their bosom's 
snow, 
And give their wondrous beauty to the 
night. 

And each api)eals to something within us, 

Some delicate, subtle, spiritual sense, 
Methinks they stimulate unbounded trust. 

Making us conscious of unworthiness ; 
Anon, they whisper merrily and low * 

Bewitching, fascinating words of mirth, 
Wooing the smile unto the faded brow 

And with bright sunshine ever clothing 
earth. 

I never take a flower from those I love 

But gratitude arises in my heart— 
I would the gift of lovely gracious things 

Some blessedness reciprocal impart. 
Thus, I have woven for thee a simple lay 

Out of the blossoms which thou gavest me ; 
They very soon will fade and fade away, 

Not so their sweet and sacred memory. 



4 



r *r 

UU» l^KAFLKTS FKOM 



1 WILL Nt>r LLA\L VOL rOMLOlW 
L,KSc<. 1 WILL (H>Mi: ro VOL." 



IJo ooiuforit'd, my sistor— wo aiv nut 
As driflinj; fraijnients on a ehunj^^ful sea; 

Life's stonny billows kju)w tho peaceful voioi* j 

Of lliiu wlio IiihIuhI the waves of CfaliKv. ! 

He eoinfoitevl. my sister — it was love f 

Withdrew tho human shape, the tleshly ;«rm 

Keyonii your reaeh just ni>w, yet lean t»n One 
\\ hieh interposes Iw^tWi^Mi you and harm. 

l»e ev>m Ported, my sister— there is not 
One heartache you n»u>t ^♦over, or one siijii 

Stitle, Ksi it should grieve this perftvt love 
W'hirh fv>Ms viui in ilsluMmdless sympathy. 

When you ari> faint with weakness, blind 
with tears, 
I 'Noaih eaeh ilay's burd.en just alnnit to fall. 

It leathers tenderly you, yours and his. 
Saying-, •'Ut^bfgood ev>urage. tell me all. 

"Heforeyour lives had rounvled to this plan 
Uet'ore these lesser loves knew blesse<l vlawn, 

I heM yoti fast within intitiite love— j 

Nothing's supertluous, nothing is gone. t 



■I — ■ ^ 

NATIVH WOODS. 101 



"I ii)easur(M)ut your sorrows, while I hold 
Tho hearts tliat hUnd close unto Mine that 
hh^l, 

And mysteries of hliss 1 keep in store; 
(~)nly helieve, my love, he comforted." 



LITTLE NELLIE. 



Yoiiiigcst blosistiiii in a ganU-it on IVail Street. 

Welcome, iittle Nellie^ 
To this worhl of ours, 
While 'tis hri^ht with verdure, 

Radiant with flowers, 
Thoujj^h it is not Eden, 
Reli's of lost bliss 
Comin<»' down tlie ages 

Linger until this. 

Welcome, little Nellie, 

Like a flower cup 

In its tiny wrappings. 

Life is fold(Ml up 
In the wee form, sleeping 
At a soothing tojie. 
Or with wide-eyed wonder 

Conning the unknown. 

Welcome, little Nellie, 
May these untried powers 
Healtlifully expanding 
• All the sunny hours, 



-I-- 



J^ 

102 LEAFLETS FKO.^I ! 



Bring a wealth of sweetness 
And perpetual bloom 
More precious than roses 
To enrich thy home. 

As mysteriously 
Every little child 
Unites the immortal 

With the sin-defiled, 
W e a s k a I'e n e \v i n <x , 
An impress of love, 
Stamp of innocence 

Recognized above. 

For except we enter 

The blest family 

With the faith of children, 

And hunnlity. 
We may stand inquiring 
Who is greatest there. 
And miss the lowly place 

It is bliss to share. 



1 WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR. 



Through the temples of the soul 
Echo words of pleasant cheer. 

Earnest, joyful words, bequeathing 
Blessings on the opening year. 



^ 



xVATlVK WOODS. 103 

Mijy a mild, (leli<>litriil Springtime 

Enrich ail tliy fertile field, 
And the <i:<)lden Summer circles 

(jlad abundance freely yield. 

Clusters of the choicest fruitage, 
Loaded shrub and vine and tree — 

Autumn's ministers conferrinj:]^ 
Measureless delij?ht on thee. 

Winter vigorous and hoary 

Donning then his jewelled crest, 
Down its last declivity 

Safe conduct the year to rest. 



ORANGE BLOSSOMS. 



This rising sun heralds an. era in your 
Mutual lives. You stand to pledge this holy 
Eaith to one another with mature judgment, 
Character rounded by experience. 
Be yours the Eden bliss of love— one 
In name, in heart, in purpose, enriching com- 
mon 
Store with double gifts. Be yours success in 

best 
Endeavor, and heavenly discipline. His 
Image to develop, who glorified 
These daily paths and common ministries. 
Be yours the joy of perfect peace, whether 



^ 



\^ 

I 104 lp:afi.ets from 



Ben<^ath the blue of this brij>ht liriDament 
^011 walk green vallie.-^, among the lilies, 
Or on the storm-crowned heig-hts, eontent 

that He 
Shall choose, who sits above the stars and sees 
The end from the hef^inninfr, happy in one 
Another, safe in the strong pavilion of His 
Love. 



A GOODLY VINL. 



Clusters I brought from afar, 
(Not from the valley of Eshcol, i 

But in rare bloom and sweetness 
Fitting a beautifid rival. 

They climbed sun-kissed — dew-laden 
Up to tiieir highest perfection, 

Hanging their graceful drapery 
Over their ruder protection. 

Transferred with delicate kindness 
Generous as their rich juices— ' 

I prefer assumption of debt 
To the freedom which refuses. 

For in my memory rises 
A tender and true old saying 

Concerning a cu[) of cold water. 
With a promise of repaying. 



^ 



f 4 

NATIVE WOODS. lOo 



So I rejoice in my clusters, 

Fruit of tlie valley of promise, 
From store of whispering- lessons 
Meekly and gratefully cull this. 

There is a holy ambition 

Aspiring, in thought and action, 
To lift by the rare elevation 

Of virtues' and graces' attraction. 



If out of life's season, only, 
Of blessing or benefit, grow 

One beautiful bounteous cluster, 
We cannot its estimate know. 



JX HOPE OF A GLORIOUS IMMOR- 
TALITY. '^ 



Fear not the Winter storm ; 

Snow cannot chill 
Or harm this beautiful clay, 
Our little freed immortal 

Went up the shining way. 

Coverlet softer, whiter 

Than daintiest couch 
Flutters down, from above, 
To fold with blossoms of Summer 

Sweeter blossoms of love. 



4 



10() LEAFLETS FKO:S[ 



Sure as eartli sliall restore 

And clothe again 

The buried flowers, 
The blessed Summer of God 
Shall renew in life and grace 

This buried germ of ours. 

So let sharp sorrow be 
Softened by Faith, 
Brightened by Hope, 
The bliss of rich possession, 
Of treasure beyond loss 
Tenderly buoying up. 



'THEY SHALL WALK WITH ME IX 

WHITE." t 

i 



There came to me on the low, soft, night 
Wind a whisper from the spirit land, breath- 
ing 
In accents sweet, "Another snow-white form 
(Hides by the stream of life; another voice 
Is added to the angel band ; another 
Harp attuned in Heaven." 

Tread softly as you 
Pass, gay, busy throng, hu*?i.h ye the careless 
Words upon your lips, let not a thought 
Of mirth disturb the present hour, for Death 
1:6 here, ye may look on and wonder. The old 



♦ „ ♦ 

NATIVE WOODS. 107 



Sink down calmly to rest, but when thodoiith 
Danij) steals upon tlie brow of yoiitli, or 
Childliood's b(>auty fadeth at his touch, ye 
i\Iay well i)ause a moment. 1 have seen the 

rose 
On fair cheeks bri<;hten, till the rich tint was 
All too beautiful, and then Death came and 
With his icy lingers stolen it, and left 
His pallor in the place wiiere it had been 
The fairest. I have seen the eye beam with 
A lustre borrowed from on hij^h, but 
Kven while I <»azed, an angel stooi)ed and 
Bore it back unto its native skies. Then 
I we[)t, until there came this sweet voice 
Tnto me, and ye have heard it, saying, 
"Another snow-white form glides by the 

stream 
Of life; another voice is added 
To the angel band; another harp attuned, 
In Heaven." 

A fair young girl sat in the place 
Of prayer, with thoughtful brow and willing 

heart. 
She had begun to sit at Jesus' feet, 
With spirit meek, in hvv young morning, but 
The Father saith, "My child, come home, 

earth's strife 
Is not for thee," and lo ! He sent His angel 
i And took her from our midst. Then therc^ 

I came 

I To me these tidings, and I bowed my head 

^ ^ 



108 LKAFLF/rs FROM 



And wept in bitterness of spirit, and 
Even then eame tliis same voiee nfito nie ; 
Have ye not heard it, sayin<if, "Another 
Hnow-whiteform ^-lides by the strewn of lifV; 
Another voice is added to the anj^el 
Band; another harp attnned in llcavcMi" ? 



.SXOW. 

Emblem of l*urity 
I)o\vn-dropi)in<^ silently 

With delicate g-race, 
Hiding the barren earth imbrowned, 
Softening angular boughs uncrowned 
Since Autumn's flaming carnival, 

With cool soft touch 
Fall upon me. 

Robe of fleeting beauty 
Doing humble duty 

'Neath defiling feet, 
Protecting sleeping flower roots, 
Insuring lives of embryo-fruits, 
Losing self in thy ministry, 

With cleansing touch 
Fall upon me. 

Emblem of Charity 
Covering gracefully 

With spotless mantle 
Uneven ways— unsightly things — 



...___._ ^^, 

' XATIVE WOODS. 109 I 



Leveling, smootliing, sinirkling wiuos 
Floating white crystals in waste places, 
Witli gfeiitle touch 
Fall upon me. 

Dazzle critical sight 
With reflected light 

From the sun's glad face, 
Winged presence of Purity, 
J5eautiful spirit of ChVirity, 
Descending widely, perceptibly, 

With hallowed touch 
Fall u])on me. 



ODE TO 1859. 



Thou hast taken thy place with olden time, 

Thou youngest of the years, 
Thy brief days numbered, nevermore 

Thy friendly face appears. 

We knew thee first in thine infancy, 

Cradled 'mid winter snows, j 

With the bleak wind wailing drearily 

Thy first young morning rose. 

We were mourning then the steadfast friend. 

Who, dying, gave thee birth, 
And subdued voices welcomed thee, 

A stranger, unto earth. 

]5ut thy childhood grew to laughing skies 
Of glad and leafy June, 



^ > 

no LEAFLETS FllOM 



And roses «'reathed thy lovely brow 
Ere morning waxed to noon. 

Tlion hast led throngh vallies green and fair, 

By waters still and swtet, 
O'er barren peaks, by rocky isles 

Where stormy surges beat. 

Part of our throbbing life thou hast borne 

Away on noiseless wiiigs, 
.Scattered fragments of waste and los?+ 

Mingled with precious things. 

A few small tropiries of victory, 

B3" patient effort won, 
And numerous sears as recompense 

For earnest warfare done. 

Thy discipline of our erra,nt souls, . 

Thy strong, attractive force 
Toward virtue, mark thy origin. 

Proclaim thy noble source. 

Indissoluble our history, 

Pronounced and sealed thy fate, 

We bow to the inevitable 
With reverent regret. 



REMONSTRANCE. 



Going! this must not — cannot be; 
3Iy heart cries out impetuous denial, 
My Muse refuses utterly a song, 
With one low wail of bitter lamentation 



f 4 

NATIVE W00D8. Ill 



Sits behind the scenes and, tremulous, 
Surveys the slender thread of hope whereon 
Relentless Fate such dear delij^ht hath hun<i:. 
Speeds memory back these fleeting weeks 

ag'one ; 
Rising up bright, like morning out of mist, 
The clear shining of thy consistent life 
Opens the panorama; tliy Sabbath 
Ministries, revered and hallowed 
With the outspoken gospel ; thy fearless 
Spirit scorning to stoop to level 
Of expedience; thy tender love 
EmbraciniT all mankind, betokening 
Thy noble lineage; thy sympathy 
Seeking out sorrowing hearts, pouring in balm, 
Weeping with those who weep ; thy words 

of warm 
Encouragement deep sunk like shafts of light 
In thought's dark mine, gloomy sometime 

and sunless. 
I tremble not for thee, for thou wilt walk 
Secure; thy conscious manhood impervious 
To stain of creature worshij), calling all 
Thy peers, in God-given right, yet raising all 
By the pure baptism thy example proves. 
Wheel back, ye hasty moments, if so soon 
Glad welcome yields to mournfullest farewell, 
Helpless and dissonant. Ely to thy knees, 
My soul, and patient wait the revelations 
Of another morn. 



^ --^ 



112 LEAFLETS P^ROM 



LOOKING FORWARD. 



Looking forward — looking forwjird 

With a vague unrest; 
How the dim, uncertain future 

Fills the human breast ! 

Ever waiting for the morrow 

With Hope's halo crowned, 
Sligfhting blessings of the present, 

Casting jewels down. 

Looking forward to a phantom, 
False, perchance, as fair, 

Every eager grasp eluding- 
Vanishing in air. 

In the shadow idly waiting 

For a golden beam ; 
Noble present work despising. 

Still content to dream. 

Looking forward— looking forward 

From the darkest night, 
Still the watch-fires of the spirit 

Keep its altar bright. 

Soul, then know thy wondrous mission ; 

Rise all glorified ; 
With the misty dreams of fancy 

Be not satisfied. 

Looking forward — looking upward 

With a single eye. 
Sowing for the heavenly harvest 

Coming by and by. 



NATIVE WOODS. 113 



1*RAYER OF THE DYING, 



'*J)ear Lnr<l, unto thyself 
My sj)irit take to-day, 

Weary and worn tlu8 frame, 
1 loii^ to fly away. 

The I IK) I'll is passing fair, 
The Spring-time beautiful, 

But O! for heavenly air 
Panteth my waiting soul. 

Earth's vain and transient joys 

Receding fast I see, 
Heaven with its perfect bliss 

Dazzles and fills my eye. 

Ye deep and tender loves 
This lower life hath known, 

Loosen your mighty grasp, 
I pine to be at home. 

Come then, my blessed Lord, 
Trusting, I wait for thee, 

Oh ! speak the welcome word 
That sets my spirit free. 

Yet, if thy holy will 

Be further wrought in me, 
Oh ! let me suffer on. 

And suffer patiently."- 

.Upward on wings of love 
Floated this last request, 

And ere the day was o'er 
She entered into rest. 



^^ 



4^ 



i 

114 LEAFLETS FROM 



PILGRIMS. 



These homes of ours 
Are as a wayside inn. We turn aside 
For food and rest— excliano-e our dusty 
(Tarinents, and our weary inood, for cool, fresh 
Raiment and delightful talk -accept 
Numerous sweet courtesies— compare 
Our notes of travel— discourse with bright 
Anticipation of the journey's end ; 
Hence oft the scene of tender partings as 
Our several paths diverge. While some 
Ascend steep mountain-heights whose grand 

broad sweej) 
Reward the expectant eye, others 
Pursue the velvet meadows, and others, 
Still trim the light sail to cross the mystic 
River whose chill depths each must essay 
Alone. These last upon tiie brink oft shine 
Transfigured, and words like these theirloving 
Legacy. 

I am leaning to the border 

Of the river dark, 
I can hear the rush of waters 

Round my little bark 
Mingling with your tender voices 

And the Sabbath chime- 
Sounds the faintest— sounds the sweetest 

From the shore of time. 

I am leaning to the river; 
I , Clearer than before 

^ : j. 



f ^ 1- 

NATIVE WOOD>;. 115 



Grows my vision while I keep 

An eye on either shore. 
Here a mother, liusband, brotlier, 

Glin.ii^ino^ tearfully — 
There a father, brother, cherub, 

Plainly beckon me. 

I am leaning to the river, 

Spreads my fiuttt^rinj? sail, 
From yon radiant country 

Wafts a favorin<»' gale. 
Th(\y are waiting — hear them calling — 

J would comfort you, 
lUit the waves o'er whelm me, 

Drown my last "adieu." 

Look ! beloved, o'er the river 

Through the glass of faith, 
See the white-robed company 

Who iiave conquered death; 
See your mighty risen Savior. 

Pilgrims! travel on 
Joyfu! for His resurrection 

I^romi.ses your own. 

MUSINGS. 



How sweetly float the murmurs of his voice 
Through these lone rooms ; I hush my breath 

to listen, 
As one in dim aisles wandering, strains 
The eager ear to catch another footfall. 
Then vividly rises a vision 



4- 



— t 



♦ ^ ■ ♦ 

116 LEAFLETS FROM 



Of the guileless boy witli liis broad open 
Brow, his clear and earne.^t eye, and l)riglit 

lips 
Eloquent witli h(>ly trutii, fresh 
From the sabred i>a*;e. 8natehes of song-, 
Manifold tender words antl words prophetic 
Throng upon me now, while tlirough the nust 
My dim eyes veilin"*, two slight clasped hands 
Send up for me their mute petition. 
Peace, my heart! the young disciple 
With elastic step trod the sweet meadows 
And the gentle slopes, but ere the path 
Wound up the rugged hills a cloud received 
Him from onr sight. 

No more shall cloud obscure 
His sky, rude blast no longer chill, nor tem- 
pest 
More appall, nor sin pollute, nor (leath 

O'ercome. 

The sunbeams stream in at the windows 
As of old, the glad Sping hastens, 
And returning leaves sliaU clothe the trees 
He loved, now reaching out their arms in 

silent. 
Solemn mourning. Flowers shall bloom, 

birds sing, 
And fragrant air fl(v.\t through the open door 
And light feet come and go, while we. 
With chastened hearts, bend to life's burdens, 
Or refresh our sinking faith with heavenly 
Communion. This is not home— we take our 
Pilgrim-stati; nor loiter here. On! On! 

^ ^ 



f 

NATIVE WOODS. 117 



Our city hath no need of sun— the tree 

Of life stands broad and beautiful 

By the clear river. All the inhabitants 

Are elad in radiant white, and wear, 

As shining- signet, the blest heavenly Name. 



IT IS WELL WITH THE CHILD." 



I think it over and over, 

My sister stricken and lone, 
Missing the household treasures 

Of brighter months agone, 
These weary dispirited days 

You walk the cheerful room, 
Or sit by the sunny window— 

Ii does not seem like home. 

I know what beautiful presence 

Lightened your morning care, 
And the little empty rocker 

Beside your easy chair 
Tells its daily touching story 

Of bitter and helpless pain. 
Which the tender All-seeing* Eye 

Watches again and again. 

Do you think, my suffering sister. 
That He whose human tears 

Fell at the grave of Lazarus 
Unmindful is of yours? 

No! into the heart's recesses 
Barred to our dearest loVe 



118 LEAFLETS FROM 



His messengers find entrance, 
Commissioned from above. 

How oft in the on-coming years 

You list the tempest roar, 
And riding the angry breakers. 

Bless God they've reached the shore 
How often beholding the wreck 

Of lovely promising life, 
Even rejoice with trembling 

Your babes escaped the strife. 

Or day by day in constant 

Avoid less war within, 
When battling single-handed 

Each for herself must win. 
When driven to Heaven's armory 

Girded for strong defence, 
You can triumph in the thought 

Of their deliverance. 

These weak hearts sadly falter— 

These doubting spirits quail- 
Let us cling and climb together— 

The topmost promise scale. 
The gentle compassionate Hand 

Lifting your darlings up 
Leads you to their glorified band, 

Look up sister, look up. 



^ 



NATIVE WOODS. 119 



TO e- 



Witli sift fioin two. 

Small gift bat joint, whicli means that we 

Unite modest ability 
With that delightful quality 
V/hich is not strained but free; 

It droppeth in the dew, 

Itsparkleth in the sheen 
Of common sunbeams, 

It softly toueheth you 

While secretly you lean 
Toward ministries 

Which, though not life indeed, 

Hang over barren need 

The graceful drapery 
Of delicate vine. 

Or blossoming rose, 

Or cushioning moss. 

Joint gift though small, its double guise 
Instinct with blessing, blesseth twice; 
Who gives— who takes, must surely rise 
Above the sordid eager eyes 

Of estimated gain, 
No mere material thing 

For value received, 
A something consecrate, 

A souvenir, a ring — 
Find if you can its end 
Or its beginning. Well ! 

The little ripples tell 
The current of the deep. 



120 LEAFLETS FROM 

Though it be fathomless ; 
You hold the shining: key 
Of our small mystery. 



AU REVOIR. 



Bidding thee God-speed home 

We will stifle regret, 
Giving humanity play 

Our narrow circle forget ; 
Heeding the sweet command to be 
Full of rejoicing sympathy. 

Add to hearty welcome 

A zest of sudden joy, 
Mingle sweet interchanges 

With delightful employ, 
Privilege, rest and loving cheer 
Home vouchsafes to the wanderer. 

Thus as we journey on. 

Never the way so drear. 
Little oases of love. 

Wayside bowers appear, 
Glimpses, earnests of what shall be 
In our Father's mansion, presently. 



LOUISA. 



Oh ! how shall we bear it, 
Or w^hat shall we say 

When our household idols 
Are turning to clay ? 



f ^ 

NATIVE WOODS. 121 



When the sweet human blossoms 

We fondly called ours, 
From our shelterhig- bosoms 

Droop, frail as the flowers. 

When friends who would comfort, 

But mock us with words 
Which on the sore spirit 

Fail harsh or unheard, 
liow mute and how helpless 

Our love oiour woe, 
Beyond this dread mystery 

Powerless to go. 

Oh! soothing and tender, 

In moments of gloom, 
The story of Jesus 

Who wept at the tomb; 
With sweet condescension 

He wins you to rest 
Your sorrowful hearts 

On His pitying breast. 

Your darling Lt)uisa, 

So shielded by love 
In a fair home below 

Knows a fairer above, 
Beyond pain and sorrow, 

Beyond sin and tears, 
With the glorified children 

Her innocence wears. 

Oh ! friends, who so lately. 
Felt all your souls moved 



122 LEAFLETS FROM 



With a warm gush of pity 
For her whom you loved, 

So our heavenly Father 
Yearns to bestow 

Sweet comfort and healing 
Now upon you. 



'THE MEMORY OF THE JUST IS BLES- 
SED." 



Now sweetly rising tiirough the mist of tears, 
Memor^^ lets in to obscure chambers 
Her blessed skylight, and shapes her fair 
And vivid picture. Since the mild dawning 
Of November, one is absent from us 
Whom to know in every day 
Companionship hath been a joy. Of gentle 
Mien, of rare and equable temper, graces 
Of mind and heart blossomed like roses 
O'er a sterling character, whose sunniest 
View was home. 

On two broad principles, 
Supreme love to God and equal love 
To man, he built the super-structure 
Of a blameless life, and recognizing 
The possibilities of evd, 
In self-distrust, by simple faith allied 
Human weakness unto strength Divine. So 
Walking 'mid his fellows upright, albeit 
In lowliness and nieekness, his unconscious 
Influence circled him like a halo. 
In the full prime of manhood whose generous 



NATIVE WOODS. 123 



Ann invited age and childhood to its firm 
Support, and round the dear domestic group 
A band of strength, he heard a higher 
8un)mons, and rehixing his tender hold 
Of earth, took hold on Heaven. 

Yet not alone ; 
When flesh and heart might fail, and the last 

scene 
l^ike pictured canvas faded out, He, 
Who said, "Lo I am with you alway," 
Kevealed His shining presence, and fixed 
His joyful recognition. Who shall write 
The epitaph of the just! Their record 
Is on high, but fair and clear loved 
Lineaments appear, while sorrow grows 
To triumph as we gaze, — "The memory 
Of the just is blessed." 



SPIRIT-VIGOR. 



Well ! Uncle George is growing old, 

For 'tis a sober fact, • 
I've seen a few stray, silver hairs 

Threading the shining black. 
No wrinkles e'er have clouded yet 

His forehead, smooth and high, 
The fire of youth burns brightly still 

Within his pleasant eye. 

His face may wear a shade of care, 
His heart is warm and young. 



r — . ■ 

124 LEAFLETS FROM 



He carries welcome in hii^ smile 

And mirth upon his tongue ; 
His form is yet erect and tall, 

His footstep firm and light, 
If Uncle George is growing old 

I see it not to-night. 

I haste me hack to olden time. 

My childhood blithe and gay, 
Sweet recollections daisy-like 

Are springing all the way ; 
Many a frolic and merry romp 

The farmhouse walls have seen, 
Methinks the echoes ringing yet, 

So wild the glee hath been. 

The swift and viewless wings of time 

On silent mission sped, 
Those careless days with simple joys 

As morning dew have fled, 
Wide scattered is the noisy group 

So oft and gaily met— 
I question if Life's sober shade 

Exceeds t[ie sunshine yet. 

Full thick and fast have changes come, 

Less than a score of years 
Have given the child a woman's heart, 

A raottier's joys and cares ; 
Lightly they've touched one active form, 

Nor left an impress yet, 
Save a sprinkle of white amid 

His quondam locks of jet. 



NATIVE WOODS. 125 



No change our friendship ever knows, 

It bideth the winter snow, 
Uncle Georo^e of my childish thought 

Is dear and honored now ; 
That his heart is tender and true 

He cannot quite conceal. 
Although he mingles grave converse 

With a spice of humor still. 

Age withers not the loving heart 

Nor dims the spirit eye. 
Wrinkles and frosts cannot impair 

Our immortality ; 
Secret and safe abides the pearl 

Though the frail casket fall. 
The royal soul inspired by love 

Is conqueror of all. 



THE UNEXPECTED GUEST. 

Luke 19, 1—7. 

He entered and passed through 
The streets of Jericho, while on His steps 
The expectant multitude pressed closely. 
Zaccheus, chief of the publicans, rich 
But dispised, of stature small, desired 
To see Him. Running before, he climbed 
A sycamore tree and waited by the way. 
Hither they pass with tramp of many feet; 
His eager eyes o'er look the little band 
Of true disciples, the fickle throng, subtile 
Questioners, and him but late redeemed 



126 LEAFLETS FROM 



From blindness, followin.g'. One Princely 

Form, 
Of counteni-\nce serene, stern ■rn {-omn-iand 
But swifter to beseech, fixes His ^nze. 
Lo! He looks up and saitli, "Zaccheus, make 

haste, 
Come down, I must abide with thee to-day." 
And he made haste and joyf'iily received 
Him. A murmur rose, contemptuous spake 
The haughty Pharise?, "Behold I He goes 
To be the guest of him who is a sinner." 
Zaccheus stood humble and penitent 
Before his Lord and said, "Half of my goods 
I offer to the poor ; where I have taken 
Wrongfully from an3^ man I now restore 
Fourfold." Jesus said, "Salvation cometh 
Unto his house to-day ; he is a son 
Of Abraham." 

Still, 'mid thronged streets and by-v/ays 
Lowly, a Royal Stranger entertainment 
Seeks, and passing by the wise, self-righteous, 
High, to humble publicans Ells i)resence 
Breaks. Oh ! ye who fain would climb, from 

self 's low 
Stand-point, some sheltering eminence, while 

Jesus 
Passeth by. He speaks to you, "I must abide 
With thee to-day." Oh; sick with sin and 

faint 
With thirst and weary of taxation, make 
Haste, open the door. Healing balm, living 
Water and liberty enter with Plim. 



NATIVE WOODS. 127 



lie asks not "Have ye name or place or gift?" 
Only joyful reception. The room was 
Low, (lark, empty, but lo ! the windows are 
Illumined, Hunger and poverty sat 
Here. Behold! a table himself hath spread, 
(K viands heaven-imported, bread of life. 
But how shall the invisible guest be 
Becognized? Many knock here and 
Introduce confusion. He coraeth like 
A King to take possession, not this day 
But all days. Herein we know if He 
Abideth in us by the spirit He 
Hath given. 



A TOKEN. 



Sweet woodland blossoms! fresh from loving 

hands. 
Your dewy touch thrills me with tender joy. 
Types are ye, exhaling delicate 
Fragrance of two young lives, whose unas- 
suming 
Presence sweetens the atmosphere of home. 
I read fair prophecies within these 
Honey-cups. Culled from the shady dell 
To soothe wdth cool refreshing the summer 
Wayside, they speak to me of the dear 
Sheltered nook, whence you shall go, beloved, 
To refresh with the'exquisite fragrance 
Of good deeds the weary paths of life. 
My darling ones, j'our thoughtful grace wins 
Tenderest return. Bloom on in rich 



♦ [ ♦ 

r ^ r 

128 LEAFLETS FROM 



Perfection your ai)pouite(l season, 
Then transplanted, immortal bloom 
Jn Paradise. 



HE THAT HATH FRIENDS MUST 
SHOW HIMSELF FRIENDLY." 



Did'st thou ever woo a bird 

From nest upon the spray 
To list to thy friendly voice 

And follow thee away? 
Did'st thou mark its timid look 

Seeing- thy near approach, 
Half si)ortively, half fearfully, 

Evading still thy touch? 
Did'st thou note what tenderness, 

What caution led it on, 
The gentleness, patient care 

Ere it was wholly won? 

Would it leave its sunny home, 

Its nest upon the spray, 
To favor thy light caprice 

Relinquish liberty, 
If thou had'st not chained its powers 

By a deep controlling spell, 
And taught this nature's wilding 

To love thee passing well? 
If perchance thy rude address 

Should once repel its trust, 
Thou would'st find the free spirit 

Could ne'er be captured thus. 



NATIVE WOOD«. 129 



Human hearts are like the bird 

111 native rights secure, 
Wary and ready of flight 

At mere dis[)lay of power, 
Only by delleate ventures 

(Jharmers may lK)[)e to win, 
Atfeetion once alarmed 

Distrustful grows again, 
If it cannot make escape 

Like the bird wild and free 
It will droop and sadly rue 

E n f ( ) r ced ca i ) t i v i ty . 

The bird and the heart were made 

To trill a happy song, 
'Mid glad peaceful conditions 

Which full sweet notes prolong. 
No sorrowful prisoners 

Silent with folded wing. 
But willing hostages 

Ready to soar as sing; 
W^ho would not reciprocate 

This joyous confidence. 
Strive to be wise in winning 

And worthy to hold from hence. 



SUNSET, AUGUST 22ND. 



Saw you that sunset? 
'Twas as if the floor of the blue heaven 
Uplifted, and the light broke through with 
glory 



4^ 

130 LEAFLETS FROM 



Indescribable, floodinof the \v"-^."-'i 

Gate, mellow and chans>-efLil with tiie warmer 

Hues of rainlxiw eolorin.2:, spreading 

Intangible, till half the sky before 

You rose transfigured. 

Stay, let me paint it ! 
Nay, would'st paint the lightnisiij-, or a star, 
Or skillfully fashion a flower to bear 
Comuarison with the exquisite 
Shading, or delicate pencilling 
Of the xVlmighty's linger? Would'st bid 
The slender twig in fair proportion rise 
And spread its arms above thee, yielding ripe 
Fruit or cooling shade? Would'st carve, out 

of cold 
Marble, thee a thing of life, a semblance 
Of the beautiful soul-presence of a child? 
Would'st imitate aught of thy Maker's 
Handiwork, and in the pride of thy 
Creation pronounce it good? 

Oh ! let me 
Not profane such hallowed scene or dabble 
It witli irray earth tints. Aye rather let mine 
Eye drink as the heart drinks love, or bask 
In it as doth the soul in the ineffable 
Light of God. 



TO F. AND M. 



Beloved ! the stars beam down 
Tenderly bright, 



^ 



^ 



r ■ : ~"r 

NATIVE WOODS. 131 



Full from her radiant throne 
The queen of night 
Sileiitly smiles — 
Happy omens! Light and Hope 
Glisten through yon horoscope. 

Over this path as you go, 

The solemn trees 
Veined fragments of shadow throw 

Lighter than these 
Fall coming shades 
Duty's sober framework graces 
And connects love's shining spaces. 

Pledged in beautiful faith, 
Your two hearts one, 
Undaunted, walk hand in hand 
Joyfully on, 
One for the right. 
One in holy endeavor. 
Blessed and blessing forever. 



TO THE FOUR MOTHERLESS ONES. 



Little band of bereft ones, 

Tenderly go 
Out from my aching heart 

Yearnings for you ; 
Though your young faces 

I have not seen, 
God makes us kindred 

In suffering. 



132 LEAFLETS FROM 



Little band of bereft ones, 

Tearful and sad, 
Pause by this mystery, 

Checking the glad 
Mirth of your voices, 

Holdino: your breath 
In this motionless 

Presence of death. 

Little band of bereft ones, 

Out to your play 
You go on the morrow — 

Grief cannot stay 
The course of a child, 

But at night-fall 
Coming home weary, 

"Mother" you call. 

Little band of bereft ones. 

Many a time 
In the on-going years, 

Our hearts will chime 
In pitiful wailing, 

As motherless 
We traverse this valley 

Of weariness. 

Little band of bereft ones, 

A grieved child, 
I kneel weeping beside you ; 

Knowing what wild 
Billows of sorrow 

Darkly encompass, 



^r 

NATIVE WOODS. 133 



On the waves walking, 
Jt^i^us Hi)eaks "Peace." 

Little band of l)ereft ones, 

Comfort take here, 
Cling' fast to the promise 

StK'h are His care, 
Nestle close to Him, 

Savior and Friend, 
None can e'er pluck you 

Out of His hand. 



WELCOME TO APRIL. 



Coquettish month ! thou herald of fair fields 
And blossondng gardens, thy fitful sunlight 
And thy clouded skies, thy fleeting showers, 
Thy chilling breezes, and thy softer breath, 
Wooing the sleeping genii, are alike 
Of promise ekxiuent. How shall we welcome 
Thee? May bringeth a manifest tribute 
Unto Nature's altar, of leaves and flowers. 
But thou preparest the brown earth to bring 
Forth and bud. Concealed beneath thy 

manrle 
Are germs of life which nursed by the sun- 

liu-ht 
And the early dew reproduce Eden. 
With thee come birds and manifold sugges- 
tions. 
Hail to thee, April ! this moment smiling, 
Anon dissolved in tears, like one of Earth's 



f 4 

134 LEAFLETS FROM 



Too .sen.sitive childivii. AN yoiuiu* things 

stii- 'iioatli 
Thy fleetinj;- f<)ot.stei)s, toiiclierl by tsoiuf^ tender 
Sympathy. Tiiou vvhi.spere.st U) the- fields 
And lo! they don jj^reen-tinted velvet; thou 
Peepest lovingly into the dim old 
Woods and, 'mid the mo.s^ uU'ts, rise to greet 

thee 
Delicate shapes, the pale disj of thy few 
Favorites like white stars set in enjerald. 
Fly then abroad over the land, a glad 
Free spirit ; scatter the signals of life 
And general rejoieuig. Welcome, thy 
Varying moods, thy chary gifts, thyself 
A touching emblem of our mortal race- 
Light and shadow, mirth and tears com- 
mingling. 



'SHE GOETH TO THE GRAV^E IX) 
WEEP THERE." 



To-day I stood by the little mound , 
Where my Mother's precious ashes sleep, 

Softly pressing the mellow ground— 
What could I do but wildly weep? 

Slips of myrtle in glossy leaf 
Tenderly clinging fibres spread, 

A bunch of violets wild and sweet 
Unveil blue mysteries at her head. 

From the dwelling that we call hom^ 
Went such presence of light and love, 



NATIVE WOODS. . 135 



Out of our dark we cannot see 
Steadily thro !gh to the litjht above. 

Then I think of the weeping ones 
At the sepulchre, how they said, 

(Thoj^e white-robed angels) "He is risen, 
Seek not the living^ among the dead." 

So I bend to my heavy cross; 

Fit and adjust it, blessed Lord ! 
Crowns are only for conquerors, 

Nothing suffered— no reward. 

All His beloved wearing now 
Earthy image shall presently, 

Dr()|)ping the mortal, be clothed anew 
After Him, in the heavenly. 



AN p:mblem. 



A breath of exquisite fragrance 
Floats like a living presence on the air 
Subdued by April sunshine. Delicate 
And subtle its fine ministry appeals 
Unto my sense, as some refined thought 
Unto my intellect. Come, let us seek 
• Together whence it wafts. One step this way 
Pause here— I trace it in this blossoming 
Heliotrope, clad in the royal purple, 
Child of the sun. As sunward turns its 
Radiant disc, so follow thee, O friend, 
All gentle graces. My little emblem ! 
Soothe with thy cool sweet breath the sum- 
mer air; 



^ 



♦ ■ 

^ _____ 

I 136 LEAFLETS FROM 



Mention in spicy odor the choice things 
Enibahned. Embody invisible 
Blessings. 



IF AND IF. 



If I were a sunbeam, that fairy thing, 
I would fly to earth on radiant wing; 
I would visit sorrowing hearts below 
With glimpses of comfort and gladness too; 
The spacious heavens I'd help to lighi 
If I were a sunbeam sparkling and^brighi. 

If I were a shadow, I'd softly steal 
O'er misery beyond my power to heal ; 
I'd hide like a curtain forever true 
Pitiful pictures from careless view ; 
I'd soothe the wretched to merciful sleop 
If I were a shadow quiet and deep. 

If I were a smile, a genial smile. 
Lowering brows I would surely beguile; 
I would twinkle in faces youtig and fair, 
Illumine eyes sadly faded by care, 
No welcome ill-humor should find the whih- 
If I were a smile, a genial smile. 

It I were a tear, a hallowed tear. 

The burdened heart I would lift and rhcer 

By the sure relief of humanity. 

The tender commingling sympathy, 

No heart should grieve in loneliness drear 

If I were a tear, a hallowed tear. 



NA'rivi-: WOODS. 187 



II' 1 wore a (liou^iU, :i ina<>iiotic tlioiig-lit, 
\\\ thrill llio world till philanthropyk'Uii^hl 
An imi^uisi' to lift the weak of tlie land, 
By the earnest w.ord and the helpitij;' hand, 
And into all lives a <>raiid purpose wrou«i:ht 
Slionld ;u iseand shine lroiiiiiiai::netiethoui>'lil. 



AND THEY SHALL liE ONE FLESH, 

ONE h1':aut, one soul." 



The ^\ved is doni^ -the solemn word gouo 

forth— 
The uiarriaj?e vow is sealed— is nititied 
In Heaven. The happy bridejj^rooni now has 

led 
His chosen to the altar, there to ask 
The sanction of high Heav^en to make his own 
llvr most Ills heart api)roves. The young- 
brides now 
Has breathed the words that bind her destiny 
To his. The golden chain cMicircles 
Two hearts henceforth macio one. 

Think you who made 
That vow, how solemn, aye, how deeply sol- 
emn 
Are the words Just spoken, promises 
E'en now but breathing on your lips; this 

then 
Your charge. 

Love her, she hath left all for you, 
Friends, home, the sweet endearments she 
was wont 



•f 



138 LEAFLETS FROM 

Toknovv,anf] turns with firm, nnqu -stioning 
Faith to link her very being with your own. 
You have awaked a chord unceasinpfly 
To vibrate in her heart. Her first spontane- 
ous 
O itpouring of womanly affection 
Is to you; a living" sprinj^:, wliom none 
Can fathom, in her mysterious nature waits 
Your draught ; stint not the cup, lest flowing- 
all 
Too swiftly weareth out the life, and late 
Y"ou prove its depth, its power, its purity. 
Love him, vested in you his dearest rights, 
His choicest liberties. If you should fail, 
The happiness of hoth becomes a vvreek. 
True to your sacred trust, a warm attachment 
Will grow warmer, deeper as time speeding 
On discloses to his view your priceless 
Excellence. A happier lot is not 
Ordained for woman. Scorn not the task to 

smooth 
Man's rugged path through life's bewildering 
Mazes, nor lightly estimate all needful 
Sacrifice; your recompense, full trust - 
And warm appreciation. Match every proof 
Of loving deference with fine response. 
Lean on his stronger arm, but be not helpless. 
Let him not bear alone the endless ills 
E'er on life's path attendant, else perchance 
He'll feel the burden— wish to be released— 
For there are none among Earth's noblest 
sons 



♦ Ji. 

I NATIVi: WOODS. I'U) 



C>uiti' pi^rlVc't. IMotluT ami sister tin- dear, 

lionored 
Nanus, by early niomories liallowi'il, 
lint a true wife enters the inner eonrt 
Of man's divided, heart, sits by its altar, 
Fans its ineense tire, inspires to worthy 

tliou»>ht, 
Noble resolve, invites heroic life 
VoY home's renown, and for the victor shapes 
Love's shinin«i- crown; errors she may lament. 
Her aim ^ently to lead from sin, ambitions 
Not to rule, her j^iory yet to win. 
Man hath more strength, more power, more 

infiuenco 
In the assemblies of the great, but in one 
I'air domain, woman may bear a holy 
Sovereignty I of lier own household, (jueen, 
TJeloved and blest. Oh! if yon rightly vahu^ 
Happiness, preserve love's chain entiix', 
r>right this new added link. So let 'rime 

glide 
In peaceful measures througli tumultuous 

sounds 
Into l\ternitv's full harmomes. 



CHALICE. 



Sipping your drink. 
Will you not think 
Sometime? and gently of her 
Who would g adly fill up 



^ - -^ 



T 

1 1(» li:afi.i:ts from 



To tlio brim, your liro-«.*ii)> 
With swoot and purest Kiixir? 

Draw me a health 
Out of the wealth 
( )f that tine sparkling- aeetar. 
Which, far better than wine. 
Makes the countenance shine. 
The eye a radiant reflector. 

Here's to supply 
Unfailing— ni^h, 
Kver all thirst refresiiing- ! 
Springing- out of the hills. 
Run down the small rills. 
And widen to rivers ot ble-ssinii'. 



rilK SILVKH CORD IS LOOSED. " 



Oh ! to see the light fading- 
Tnconsciously from eyes so dear, to know 
The limit to the sweet companionship 
And love of earth, is truly terrible I 
While the paralysis of this great ag(Miy 
Is on thee, we softly wait in the dim 
Vestibule, obedient to the sweet 
Tenor of our Lord's command, ''Weep ye 
With those who weep." 

We bring thee blessed balm, wliose 
Healing drops with soft anointing soothe 

these 
inward wounds, and through the swollen 

veins 



*f 



NAriVK WOODS. 141 

OitVuse a lu'jUthy ivst. Wo bring' tVosli loaves 
From tho immortal lifotroo. Bind them I'lost^ 
O'or the torn odgos of thy bnikon hopes. 
Till tht\v shall knit with new vitality 
To an entlurinji" substanee. Weleome we 
riio ji'reat Physieian. whose skillfnl hand 
Abstracts the torturinu" siin^-, and the dull 

uehiM<i', 
l-'rom these human liearts. He kno\v<'th 

well all 
riie <ours vast e^pacities, preseribing' ^ 
Only what its strenuth ean bear; what v>ur 

weak 
Hands essay in vain, His matehless toueh 
PerlV'ets ; wluit narrow sympathy our yearn- 
in ji" 
Hearts bes[o\v . u>-[ in the measurele-< oeean 
or His love. 



(H U liKOTHKK. 



The sweet May morning's eome and iio 

Like former yeai*s. 
The days o'er run with mirth and song- 

Too glad t*or tears, 
Throng'h open windows tloats tl\e breath 

Of orchard's bloom. 
While at our feet the velvet turf 

Spreads ample room. 

But there is shadow in our home— 
Oh! lovely spring, 



4 



-^ 



142 LEAFLETS FROM 

Thy gentle airs, thy radiant smiles 

Find us sorrowing; 
We walk fomiliar pleasant paths, 

And softly weep 
For one beloved companion 

Early ft^llen asleep. 

So recently our mutual eyes. 

Looking abroad, 
Beheld the same earth, the same blue skies, 

But now— O God! 
The sunshine of Thy presence fills 

His wondering sight. 
And Spring perennial blooms for him 

Day without night. 

Beautiful dreams of time! ye lose 

Half of your charm 
When, the gates opening, life succumbs 

At death's alarm; 
Unto thy vanishing delights 

Vv'e are not left, 
Blessed provision Jesus rrfakes 

For hearts bereft. 

Oh! happy hope! lift up our souls 

And clear our eyes, 
That from these lowly scenes Faith may 

Exulting rise ; 
Suffering is o'er— sin is not— . 

Death is o'ercome— * 
We go to him — triumphant thought— 

To Heaven, our home. 



^ 



NATIVE WOODS. 



Kx^TIK. 



I stood to-day beside the little couch 
Wliero her slight form h\y in the sleep that 

knows 
No waking; my heart questioned, "Is this 
Death, so beautiful, so lovely?" The brown 
Hair floated around the smooth young fore- 
head 
In luxuriant waves, and the meek hands 
Were folded on her bosom ; expression 
Sweet, serene, sat like a living presence 
In the fair young face; some kiud thought 

had placed 
A few frail blossoms tenderly above 
The heart, which sent so lately forth through 

all 
This wondrous frame the springs of life. 

Come ye. 
And gaze, who fear to look on death. Is 

aught 
Forbidding in this gentle sleep? Aye, press 
Your lips to her's, my stricken brother. The 
Dear clay is very beautiful. How oft this 
Fond caress knew loving answer, but she 
Is not here— this but the little house her 
Spirit tarried in— the veil that hid her 
From our mortal eyes. She hath put on 
The robe of immortality— her infant 
Lips begun that new and wondrous song, 
which 



-f 



♦ 

144 i.kafm:ts fkom 



.Makes the Heaven of Heaven-^ riiv^- till tlie 

eehoes 
Wake faintly below. Vouv snniniers, brief 

and 
l>riiiht, she tlourishe<l like the flowers -he 

loved, 
Ikit in that ni>i>ei- ^i^ardt^n is no bliirht, 
No ehanii'inj^ skies, no rude and ehillinii" blast, 
No shade, no tear. Smooth baek the thick 

rich looks; 
Look long and tenderly npon the little fv>rni 
That love had made so saered ; take the glass 
( )f faith, "for yonder Heaven where aiiirels see 
(iod's face is not so distant as we deem." 
Weep if you nuist, tears are no sin; Nature 
O'er her early burial wet^ps, not one 
Brief fleeting- shower, but a long* day of tears ; 
And Jesus wept, lol He can comfort too. 



GOLD-hlXKl). 



lusiiibotl on aiuiivoiiwr.v v»f Kutlior's l>iith>l:iy. witli tlic u.v>l«.l 
)'>.u, his gift on >iinilar vKoasion of my own. 

Dt-ar Father mine, your delicate token 

Of tender thought. 
Though grateful thanks remain so long un- 
spoken, 

Is not t\)rgot. 

This its tirst labor, may no line unsightly 

^lar the fair page 
From its nice point, but beaut ions eharaclers 



NAriNi: \V(H>ns. 

riu>\\ il't yi'ars wliirl I'rK'Utk'ssaiul rolunih-^s, 

< >ur birtlulays, tUn'iavl wUh lH'am> ot'^hulness 
Aiul >liailrs of pain. 

1 waihUr back tluou^ih nuMuorirs rosy, 

And u rat rill I soe 
Alonii" tho way, in nianifoUl traivs, 

l.ovc's ministry. 

()ni' Iiinnl>K> homo lioanls rioiios ol' atVootion, 

To us Hl'O uiviMi 
riio I'riL^htost link< of tontUa- lovi^ on oartli 

And ono in 1 1(>avon. 

\\\> oliuii' io»i('tlior, bo it lair or stormy, 

With re vo rent oyt\s 
And roaiiy hoarls to ^rasp lifo's oarnt>st 
moanin^u' 

luloro it tlios. 

A> in ihoso ploasant phu'os now wo i^athor 

Ono family. 
Ma.y wo walk hand in hand tlio uroal lloro- 
arua- 

Moro pta-liM'tly. 



C'j.OVK APPLK. 

Odors of Arahy I ombalm tliis naiivo 

Fruit aud tix in its minutost 

Pori'x each poruH't juico. l>lond hvvo tho rt>- 

dt^lont 
Orioni with tlio t>ri'iuird bloom aud fruitauo. 



^r r 

140 LEAFLETS FllOM 



Speak for me the subtle mysteries 
Of field and flower, color and fragranee. ' 
Lead this friend into invisible gardens- 
Gardens where rare exotics oj.e their 
Delicate leaflets, and lowlier buds shed 
Theirexquisite breath, and the >weetsunshiiu' 
Gilds not alone our chilly nortlurn sky 
But the whole world of human blest unfolding, 
And light is Btit the synonym of health 
And joy and life; for our resplendent sun 
Is lit at the great Fountain Head, 
And light is life and life is love. 



MOSS BY THE WAYSIDE. 



Oh I do you know, 

Tnder the snow 

Or a coverlet of leaves, 

Something green, 

The barren scene 

Of winter dearth relieves. 

Long ere the first 

Grass-blade hath burst. 

Threading the black mold acro; 

Look as you go 

Ever so low 

For delicate tufts of moss. 

E'en the cold stone, 
All overgrown 
With its tiny velvet spray. 
Offers me rest, 



♦ ♦ 

NA'm'K WOODS. 117 



With tlio luirdon t>fto-dny. 

S(>iuothin«i' as swoct, 

Daily 1 iiK«et 

On litV's ru.iiged waysitle, too— - 

^Losses tiiat ginnv 

riuler its snow 

l']x(inisitcly fresh anil new. 

Words of cheer, 

Look> that 'endear, 

Delieate, nameless deed^, 

(.^rowing so low. 

Seareely we know 

Wheneethe eonseions ;'harm proceeds. 

Many a stone 

Tiuis overgrown. 

Lyinji' my path aeross, 

l*roveth a sweet 

Wayside retrofit 

Witli its velvet cushion oT n>o->s. 



MAY. 

A lonj;- aloent friend of sunny elinie- 
And radiant skies g-rows eloquent. Iha- 

warm breath. 
I'ans my cheek, while in my ear .-he pours 
An insjnration which I cannot speak. 
Fragrant from violet beds, xvliere her light 
Footsteps have so lately fallen, she glides 
Among the trees and from the early apple 



u — ^ . -t. 

r t 

I l-iS T^EAFLI-rrS FHOM 



Blooms, playfully tosses a shower of white 
Leaves in iny way— a lovely chialleng:e; 1 
Accept it and salute thee. I have souglit thy 
Presence in the dim sequestered nooks, 
And caught tiie light of thy fair countenance 
From many a hiding place. I know wh(4-e 
Tliy first flowers appear, which, fairy-like, 

come 
With thy coming and are part of thee. Aye, 
We have walked together hand in hand be- 
neath 
Thy benison. What happy errand thine I 
What munificent power attends thy modest 

mein ! 
What delight to make all waysides blossom ! 
Who would not be a messenger of gladness? 
Children go Maying and dance about their 
Garlanded emblem with innocent 
Rejoicing. Sluggish pulses to thy smile 
Jlespond with quickened movement, dor- 
mant things 
Rouse as if morning beckoned o'er the purple 
Hills. What grace, what tender beauty 1 
Behold! Would it were always May! Yet 

should we 
Tire of one another, gentle friend ? Change- 
Change— the seasons ring it. Day and night 
Chase one another in perpetual round. Sleep 
Locks ns up in separate cells like capsules, 
So rasping care excluded, rest, with light 
^Mesmeric touch, soothes life's uneasy chafing 
And brings thy dewy freshness, O! beloved 



4^ _ . ^____ . - ^ - ■ - -i 

1 NATIVE WOODS. 149 



May. X('\v jjarticles sup[)ly those worn 
And waste, tlu^ same yet other, all thing's 

new — 
Wondrous econoniy—creatioirs phm— 
Individuality clearly | 

Preserved— a perfect whole enclosing myriad I 

Parts as perfect -no single atom lost. j 

What revelations of all precious things j 

Are hidden in beautiful simile! 



CROWNED. 



A garland of fair flowers we bring 
Spring's earliest, purest offering, 
Whose delicate freshness doth beseem 
The smooth young forehead of our Queen ; 
We chose the buds sparkling with dew, 
And named them diamonds for you. 
We wait your bidding and obey- 
Long live our gracious Queen of May ! 

Elastic form and lithesome feet, 
Of all fair maidens meekly meet 
To wear a crown, and sit a queen 
Beneath the May-bower's leafy green, 
Reign over all by royal right 
To do the true, and live the light. 
Enlarge your realm, extend your sway- 
Long live our gracious Queen of May ! 



ir>0 LEAFLETS VROM 

CHRYSALIS. 



The baly's heart lias ceased its faint pulsation, 
The still hands lie above, 

Strange calmness settles on the tiny features 
So sacred unto love. 

This perfect casket, which enshrined a Jewel, 

We lay beneath the snow, 
These untried powers, these winning- infant 
.i»:raoes, 

A mystery below. 

Are they all vain, ()! disappointiMl [>arents. 

Weary months, agony I 
Of cherished hope and fond antici[)ation 

Is this the oul to be? 

No I who can estimate the bliss of Being, 
The priceless germ thus given, 

'^lid ang(M teaching, angel ministry, shall 
know 

l)evelo]>ment in Heaven. 

There its tirst conscious light, the face of (rod. 

Its tirst sound, melody ; 
Surpassing sweetness wins those timid li})s 

The unknown song to try. 

You may not watch the beautiful unfolding, 

Its bright exotic bloom 
Shall never feel the rugged northern blast 

That sw^eeps its native home. 

What can we give? the sad inheritance 
Of sin and suti'ering. 



NATIVE WOODS. 151 



Tliis cIuMiii) lluttcrs {hi-oi!L;h mortality 
U neon. scions of its stin^i;'. 

Oil! iMotlicr's love, at once stront^-est aiul 
tciulorost 

In Nature's weakest liour, 
To shield our darling's, thousand shades of ill 
Jjofy our utmost power. 

Lo ! the broad bosom of a lovin<2: Saviour 

Invites us all to hide, 
Alike a refu^-e for our babes and us 

Whatever mav betide. 



'(JO, WORK T()-1)AV IX ]MV N^INK- 
YAUD." 



"Youth in its ardor, manhood in <^lory, 
Infancy, life's path ail yet untrod. 
Childhood with dimples, a^e with locks hoary, 
All have a work in the vineyard of God." 

"And now abideth Faith, Hope, Charity 
and the greatest of these is Charity." 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 
The Master walked among His fields to-day, 
Through mellow furrows where the seed 

awaits 
The gentle blessing of the evening dew, 
By the young grain whose blade rises dis- 
tinctive 
From surrounding tares, in the rose gardens 

4* *!' 



♦ 

r 



\Vlu'r(» lair colors :niil swi^ct hrcatli arc all 
Tlic IVuil ll(* seeks, 'luid bouj^lis ol' orchard 

promise, 
Aiiion*;' vines cliinbiii.u' by nule support 
To liaii^' tlieh' clusters in tlie suininer sun ; 
To (^very one of us lie said, "i'^ollow 
i\h» ; here is work. You stroni^-, put in thi^ 

l)lo\v, 
i'.reak u)> the tallow ,t;-round, Si)\v the wide 

wastes 
I-'ron» out my lib»'ral st(»rehou-;e, make* the 

paths 
Straight, ^■e whom e\pia-ienc(> hath tau.uht, 

brluii" 
All your skill and best (H-onomy 
or labor. N"(^ yount^* iind vi^^orous, 
With u'lMierous zeal reclaim the soil, insure* 
\'our tith* by actual settlenuMit, 
Turn the sod and hedpfo about it, sow all 
The »;"round, for yt* know not whetluM- shall 

prosptn* 
This, or tliat, or both alike ho. j^ood. 
i>e tliligent, nor faint at noond;\y heat ; 
With me yc* are co-laborers ; 1 send 
'I'he early and the latter rain, the eanuvst 
Of your harvest. Ye i)atient souls, who all 
Day str(nv the* stubborn soil yet see no tender 
rj)sprin*;ini;-, blessed are they who, seein*»" 
Not, believe; 1 will send you the ComfortiM*, 
And while you i^o forth wcepin<>-, b(»arin.n- 
Precious seed, my dews shall fall, my sun- 

lio-ht 



XATiN'i-; woons. l')3 

Jilc.-s, ;iii(l yon sliull conu; aj^ain witli ^lad 
llcjoiciii^- l)riii;j;iii<4' in yoursheaves. Ye weak 
And cnnibcr.'d with much sorvlnj^ whose; 

little 
I'Melds are daily trodden o'er and o'(;r 
Witlj weary feet, and lieads )>owe(l d(.«wn, 

hecause 
('an; for the (luaiity and (juantity 
Of hread exhausts th(,' vital forc(3, faithlul 
In least, faithful in ruucli ; tli(Mliscii)le 
Is not above his Master, nor the servant 
Al)Ove liis ]»rd ; if 1 have rrunistered 
Tnto you, in love serve one; another ; 
Your hund>le tribute J will receive, 
And inasmuch as unto least of these, 
Ye ndnister unto me. Whene'er 
The day's end Hnds your lieads [)illowed 
I'pon a stone, I will raise up a liethel ; 
rp the bri^dit ladder tender pniyers shall 

climb, 
AikI white- winded answers midway m(;et 

them, 
And treasures (;ome and u^o with glad (ex- 
change, 
Treasures of faith, long suffering, pati(;nce, 
Sown in your hearts and garnered up in 

Heaven. 
When you have fallen aslee[>, out of your 

homes 
The living answers to your prayers shall 
Scatter broadcast the bread of life ; your 
Memory shall be blessed. Ye fearful 



l'")4 I.i: APPLETS FROM 

And fainthearted, who see the enemy 
Entering lil>:ea flood, and say, 'a lion 
In the way,' lift np your eyes ! hehold 
The mountain full of ehariots! fear not, 
'They thiat he with you are more than they 

that 
Be with them.' Ve lowly, hend and clear 
()hst:ructions, that those who follow feebly 
Ik* not entangled. Ve little ones, haste 
To the garden, remove the thorns while you 
Consider the lilies. Are any joyful? 
Let them sing. Any afflicted? let them i)ray. 
Ar(» any turned asid(»? restore ye 
Such in meekness. I>e })itifu!, hc> 
Courteous, watch agidnst enemies, guard 
Well the littU^ foxes tiiat spoil the tender 
Vines." The days deniand a singleness 
Of purpose, and earnestness of soul 
To occupy the world. The kingdom 
Suffereth violence. We live by deeds. 
Not years. "That life is long which answers 

life's 
Great end." Do any say, "We wait 
A preparation?" Behold, abideth 
Charity. Our sluggish spiritual 
Pulses have felt the stir of love's divinest 
Life, herein is preparation. Jesus 
, Gives us new vitality, that we may 
Honor Him by our activity. Let 
Love to him o'er-run each blest full cup, 
And drop with heavenly charit^^ 
In all our dailv walks and labors— love 






NATIVE WOOD.S. lo5 



To one another, be like the precious 
Ointment upon Aaron's head, thai fell 
With fragrant bargess all o'er him— lo^•e 
To the tempted, wayward, erring, lost, like 
His, who sought and led and lifted, lightly 
E;;teeming. suffering or reproach, who 
Said, "I came not to call the righteous. 
But sinners to repentance," who says, "work* 
While 'tisday ; work all the day ; work, and 1 
Will repay." 

EVENING. 



In my sylvan retreat 
Light and shadow meet, 

Lovely autumn eve: 
Tiie horizon all aglow. 
Softest vespers chiming through 

Overhanfring leaves. 

October's hazy air 
Floating everywhere, 

Sweetest mystery 
The gorgeous scene enfolds. 
Blended crimson, green and gold, 

Veiling tenderly. 

Through enchanted bowers. 
The delicious hours 

Speed with noiseless feet 
Touch the golden thither shore, 
Ileturning nevermore 

Never yet so fleet— 



-I- 



♦^ 

156 LEAFLETS FROM 



Like murmurs of tlie sea, 
Heard vag-ue and distantly, 

Din of busy life; 
Nature's treatise I pursue, 
I]ver «'hang-eful— ever new. 

With instruction rife. 

Flutterinof to my feet, 
J)elicately writ 

Ivacli exquisite line — 
Spring's unfolded mysteries— 
J^eafy summer histories — 

Tiny volumes shine. 

Yon g-raceful willow tree 
Rehearses, tenderly. 

Captive Israel's plaint; 
Ever drooping'— ever weeping, 
Unseen harps sad touch o'ersweepin^ 

Bitterest lament. 

Cool winds, arising now, 
Dewy fingers from my brow 

Dissipate the spell, 
While the apple branches sway 
To a charming roundelay, 

Scarcely audible. 

So shadows close around— 

Darkness on the ground- 
Dimness o'er my sight; 

Heaven's unclouded blue above— 

I'>arth o'erwatched by boundless love- 
Welc^ome, starry night. 



*h 



NATIVE WOODS. l")? 



MORNING. 



See ! A Lirora comes ai)iiee 
l^p tlio blushiiij]^ eastern sky, 

JItulinnt with loveliness, 
Hiding royally. 

J^'rom their various repose — 
Rustic couch or downy bed — 

(Had and sad, with like intent, 
Lift the drqopinj? head. 

Tlioughts' swift arrows cleave the air 
In their wide and eager quest 

Flitting past the drowsy eye. 
Viewless— numberless, 

Lo! this sweet returning light 
Reveals many an anxious brow : 

Issues vast, and mighty throes 
Weigh the moments now. 

Omens of the coming dawn 

The aroused nation sees, 
Hreaking the delusive dream 

Of ignoble peace. 

Strong in Right, her loyal braves 
'Neath their insulted banner flock 

With united front, to meet 
The approaching shock. 

From their laudable pursuits— 
From the busy ranks of toil. 

Called to settle o'er again, 
This contested soil. 



^^ 



l'")8 LEAFLETS FROM 



Justice's o'iant urni ui>reare(l 

Startles with terrific awe ; 
Clashino'— crasliinti^ strokes make way 

For majestic law, 

'Tis the gloom preceding morn ; 

Oppression's struggles— tyrant's rage 
Hasten on the glad Aurora 

Of the golden age. 

Blest the ready— armor-clad 
Sleeping not upon their post, 

Joining the triumphal march 
Of this sacred host. 

Hlest are they whose joyful eyes 
Welcome morning o'er tiie hill, 

As a revelation new, 
Of a Father's will. 

They shall see a fairer dawn 

Flush the heavenly orient; 
Clouds and shade evanishing — 

Death's night quickly spent. 

THE GREAT REBELLION. 

1860. 
The night gathers— darkness that mav be 
felt 
Obscures America— the storm lowers- 
Its heavy thunder-bursts reverberate 
Around the globe, stirring the sluggish pulse 
Of nations. Its lightnings flame to fiirthest 
Boundary of our native land — sublime 



NATIVE WOODS. lol) 



Yet tiwlul specliH'lc. — We shriiilc aj^'hast 
From tlio black prucipicci upon whose 
Outmost vor<4-o we stood unconscious. We 

sprinji!' 
Up IVom <hesle(^i) which was almost our death. 
Throuf^h dim (\yes see thousands of braves 

marshalled 
Jieneath our glorious banner, ilrm 
And undaunted, swee[)in<j^ with one broad 

jj^lance 
Its sacred folds and heaven ; I see the foe 
Advance wi(h siiouts of exultation, 
Bearinjj: aloft their hatelid symbol, I see 
The nations world-wide, vicnv with intensest 
Interest, America's j^reat experiment; 
I feel the loyal hearts in this free North 
Throb with a mighty energy ; behold 
Through their clay-trappings, heroes noble 
In doing— nobler in sulfering. Lo! 
The lines of partisan strife annulled— 
All creeds forgotten— all forms abolished— 
Brothers stand shoulder to shoidder for our 
Liberties, our own dear Magna C'harta. 
Terribly earnest the coming drama. 
Cowards may flinch, and traitors fear to die, 
But tiie true sons will guard to their last breath 
Their father's legacy. 

The morn shall rise. 
And its delightful air from the night's storm 
Swept of miasma, come purified and clear; 
Again from hill to hill resound the busy 
Notes of industry, dear ones returning, 



•^ 



160 I.KAFLKTS FROM 

Thrice dear by peril, witli songs of victory 
Ami glad liosannas— infamous oppression 
Hydra-headed, vanquislied and slain. Man 
Shall sit beneath liis own vine and t1:i-tree 
I'll molested— body and soul <>ntVanehis*Hl ; 
Unity and liberty proelaimed 
To the great family made of one blooil. 

••• — 

FIRST PUKITY— TIIKX PKAC'i:. 



Dodicatol to our bravo volunteers. 

Go, brothers, go; 
Add your bright tapers to the beacon light ; 
Pile high the friendly wateh-tires— 
Our good shi[) ploughs a rough sea through 
storm and night. 
The wild war-tiends 
Leashed to the Almighty Hand, 
A season, hold posession 
Of our distracted land. 

Hark! in the lull, 
The wail of sorrow, and the moan o[' pain— 

The suppressed agony 
Of greathearts bleeding. Justice to maintain,- - 

Heroic words 
Rung out like clarion peal, — 
Voices of mighty prayer 
On clash of ready steel. 

Ignoble souls 
Who falter now, and false to Freedom prove. 
With white lips crying "Peace," 



^ 



NATIVE WOODS. IGl 

lA^t liot ri'biikc adtiniiistc'RHl in love 

Stin«»- to action. 
There l.s no noutral si)ot — 

We love our peerless country, 
( )r el>e we love her not. 

Shall free sons bow 
To the bas(^ thralldoin their brave sires dis- 
dained ? 
1 1 n preeeden ted power 
Stoop to the yoke's unprecedented shame? 

All noble blood 
Wasted— the «»lorious past 

Annulled — Tyranny crush 
llunianity at last? 

No, brothers no! 
Your stalwart forms, a livin<^ breast-work, 
shield 
Our blood-bou<»ht liberties; 
The stru^j»liny- world awaits this crisis-tield 

With treniblin<i: hope. 
( )n to the rescue ! fly ! 

Esteem no sacrifice 
Too dear for Liberty. 

Go, brothers, ^o 
From the free homes of our beloved West, 

Of her broad interests mindful; 
For freedom and for God each inch contest- 
Bone of one bone, 
A consecrated band, 

Sutlering through every nerve. 
With one loved Father-land. 



^ 



102 LEAFLETS FROM 

Go, brothers, go ! 
Though strife be deadly and the battle hot- 
By pureness and by knowledge 
Exalt our cause— we charge you, fail us not ; 

The brave at home 
Will put a cheerful courage on— 
Stand by you undismayed, 
Till victory be won. 



COL. ELLSWORTH. 



A gallant champion of a noble 

Cause has fallen ! The clarion peal 

Of our advance guard rings back prefaced 

By a knell. Before the battle smoke 

Darkens Virginian skies, or the foe 

Knows one fair encounter, the sacrifice 

Begins. Are our hearts brave to suffer? 

The young, intrepid commander, the martial 

Hero, the citizen-brother, the son. 

The affianced is the first offering 

Upon our country's altar. One blinding 

Lightning flash electrifying all 

The land— the fatal type mingle and blur— 

From lip to lip the sympathetic word 

Runs tremulous. How the indignant 

Blood mounts up to fever- heat and hurries 

Impetuous along the vital 

Avenues. A murmur loud and deep swells 

On the troubled air ; full many a comrade's 

Arm is nerved to smite the accursed 

Treason, whose acknowledged aim is at 



4 

NATIVE WOODS. 163 I 



Tlie nation's life, tlirouj]fh her heroic sons, 
Whose tactics train licensed assassins. 
Whose dastard blows covet no open tield. 
Down with the hateful symbol of rebellion ! 
Float the old colors proudly at half mast! 
America's sons can die, but brook not 
Insult to her sacred flag. With measured 
Tread follow the muffled beat of the slow 
Dirge— one vast procession mourning one 
Common loss. An honored grave on his free 
Mother soil, 'neath the dear banner which 

knew 
No rival allegiance ; foremost 
In action, first to fall. A name embalmed 
With tender memories in {)atriot 
Hearts forever, his fair inheritance. 
Brief, bright career! nor taunt nor cruel 
Violence can dim his immortality. 
Rest, representative of a royal 
Race ; the flaunting, scorned usurper stained 
With thy martyr blood, a dear bought trophy — 
That blood transfused swells the great veins 

instinct 
With life and healing. 

Who shall be next bereaved? 
Through what exquisite nerve cuts the next 

blow? 
America's challenged freemen rise 
In their strength, a great avenging power. 
Behold their majestic bearing, their 
Streaming banners, their unsheathed swords ! 

Hark ! 



-^ 



♦ 

r '- 

I 164 i.eafi^p:ts from 



The swift tramp, the stern comniaiid. 

Gird ye 
True braves! Not conquest, not base piin 

impel 
This strite— Jehovah's holy war ! at peace 
With Him, resist embattled le<i^ions. 
Sweet land of liberty— our Country. 
Liberty's mighty patron— God. 
.^ — - ---*•• 

18G1. 

"To everything tlien- is a season and a time to evi ly i>nr|>o?e 
under Heaven.'" 

Herein is manifest fitness— the world 
Casts in her crucible all shining things 
And puts them to the test— exacts from would 

be 
Orators a maiden speech— bids scholars 
Prove their research— preachers win by rarest 
Practice, smallest meed of praise— doctors 
Discourse skill deeper than ''Materia 
Medica" of words— philosophers 
Experiment a life-time— honesty 
Run in one's character like vein of ore- 
No donor this matter-of-fact world. Who 
Wears them, earns her laurels. 

What sort of metal 
Do ye put in blades? The truest steel, 
Fine tempered, fire tried, keen edged, 
Adroitly polished. Swords are no idle 
Toys— they flash on heroes with significance. 
Do we beguile these moments, heavy 
With portent, in playful passes, or ask 



■h— ^ : 4 

! NATIVE WOODS. 1G5 ! 



Less of the soldier than this plain age 
Demands to prove his raet^tle, and base 
A[)proval on the future fact? 



PIC-NIC, JULY 4TH, 186L 



Hie away to the woods 

This anniversary; 
Nature holds a carnival, 
And decks in smiling mood 
The grand ancestral hall ; 
Away— away— away ! 

Out of the dusty town — 

Out of the din of trade — 
Gladness and joy resound 
Through arches broad and free 
Far in the grateful shade; 
Away— away— away ! 

Here is room for the swell 

Of Freedom's mighty wave ; 
Trustfully still we hail 
Our independence day. 

Huzza! the true and brave! 
Away — away — away ! 

Cheerful in camp and tield 

Learning the art of war, 
Forward with orders sealed 
IStern work our brethren do 
On simple soldiers fare— 
We'll take our rations too. 



♦ J^ 

r :~ r 

KK) LEAFLETS FROM 



Here's to our clear l)irtlui<>'ht— 

When enemies assail 
We pledge the sword of ri<;:lit, 
The strenp^th of stalwart hands, 
They never shall prevail. 
Or clench on us their bands. 

Here's to the banner we love, 

INIighty on land and sea. 
Proudly it iioats above 
America's sure strongholds, 
Trained armies of liberty 
In schools and Sabbath schools. 

Glory to God on hig-h! 

Our cause doubly His own, 
He will give victory ; 
Reigning supreme o'er all. 
At His behest alone 
Nations arise or fall. 



WATCHMAN! W^HAT OF THE NIGHT? 



Christ's bold Embassador 
Unto a world in arms— Patriot— Brother— 
What signs? The troublous latter days of 

the old 
Projjhecy, hasten apace. I see thee 
Standing, bearing thy great commission 

bravely. 
Expounding the hidden life which no device 
Of war— no ?wift and deadly weapon 
Can assail, before which fourscore years 



NATIVE WOODS. 107 



Of eartlily linbitation dwindle 
To nought. To-day's occafiion proveth 
Christ's freemen, or willin<^ slaves of Sin. 
To-day America's heart throbs mig^hty 
Pulsations throu«>h her countless veins. To- 
day 
Her sons are suinnioned from their peaceful 

fields, 
The avenues of trade, the halls of learnin<,^ 
The sanctuary, to jj^ird on the sword 
And learn the art of battle ; her granite 
Hills rock to their base and issue volcanic 
Lava— her broad i)rairiel expanse trembles 
And surges with a great upheaving— 
Her free homes feel the shock of her contend- 
ing 
Armies— her virgin soil, as yet unpressed 
By traitor foot, rears quietly its 
Green sward to the sun, unconscious of events 
Shaping its destiny. The Father of Waters 
Flows its wonted length, albeit it hath 
Shadowed the badge of rank rebellion. 
The sounds of martial music trespass 
On the night. Husbands and sons and broth- 
ers 
Meet the imperative call of duty. 
Fearful the pause, as in mid-ocean 
A calm heralds terrific tempest ; 
Fearful the clash of hostile bretliren ; 
Fearful the stain that must wash out in blood; 
More fearful still the onward march 
Of despotism— this Ijucifer who would 
Be king in Heaven. 



♦ . 

► «■•- 

lt)8 LEAFI.irrS FROM 



This Gordlnn knot. 
jNIust know tli<' thrust of a keen blade. 
Who with oppression yoke must feel 
The avenger's red rijii'Iit arni, for "/i*/V//// /.y 
IH(/lit t'.uice God is Gody 

Wlu) wijl to do His will — 
'Tis they whose piljj^rini feet lead 'nionj»- 
The heather-hills, whose skies l)y day «i:i()w 
Vivid hues or glisten i)roniise-bows, 
Whose tent by night is the Most irigli's i)a- 

vilion, 
Whose daily food is manna, whose raiment 
Is Christ's righteousness, whose dialect is 

love. 
J^'old us, great Will, in I'liee, to do or xttffei\ 
America's loyal braves, the world 
Our kindred, and Ileuven our better country. 



TO ONE IN CAMP 



From under your canvas roof, 

Leagues and leagues away. 
Homeward swift winged thoughts 

Flutter at close of day. 
Stretching before your vision 

A stranger landscape lies. 
But your eyes and hearts are busy 

With distant memories. 

No tender and beaming glance- 
No sweet familiar tone 

Of the loved and loving ones 
This moment, meets your own; 



-^ 



■{ - 

♦ NATIVE WOODS. 169 



]5ut the tta.sli of gleaming «abre, 

The crack of rifles near, 
The roar of dealening cannon 

Forever in your ear. 

Tlie hum of many voices, 

The tramp of many feet. 
The daily march and drill, 

Tiie fearful risks you meet 
Develop the sturdy sinew, 

Are stirring the hero-blood, 
And teaching? you what a power 

Is in you, for ill or ii:ood. 

Oh ! ^reat our load of sorrow, 
Heavy and dim our eyes 

With constant heavy pressure 
Of sore anxieties; 

Hoping- and waitin^^ and praying 
That our brave and gallant boys 

As valiantly enroll- 
Good soldiers of the Cross. 

Then when this war is over, 

If never again you come 
With your cheerful manly presence 

To gladden an earthly home, 
We shall know you have gone to receive 

Enduring laurels above, 
W^here time may complete our circte 

In that beautiful home of love. 



170 LEAFLETS FROM 



A SOLDIER'S PORTRAIT. 



Wistful, earnest, gravely tender, 

Humid, lustrous eyes, 
Eloquent thy voiceless language 

Of rare memories. 
Oh ! so lately flashed upon us. 

Like a bright autumnal day, 
Thy strong spirit up and girded. 

Many, many leagues away. 

What intense and deep emotion 

Through that slight frdme thrills — 
Faithful transcript, I can read thee 

Though thy calm is terrible; 
Gazing till the thought embodied 

Peoples all the horizon, 
That resounds with ringing armor 

And thy bold words, "Courage, on !" 

Oh, for wonderful achievement, 

Triple coat of mail ! 
Oh, for talisman ic weapons 

'When enemies assail ! 
Oh ! for glad and sure returning 

When the raging conflict cease, 
Victor for Humanity, 

Thy kingdom— perfect peace. 



NATIVE WOODS. 



I WISH THEE JOY! 



171 



I wish thee joy! yet not as they whose lips 
Sparl<le the effervescense of a sudden 
Thought, forgot as soon as spoken ; not joy, 
A sluggish stream, slow flowing 'mid 
Monotonous banks low stretched aside, 
But something with a current, swift per- 
chance. 
And strong and high, bearing like the ma- 
jestic 
River life upon its bosom. 

The bubbling 
Ilivulets down from the mountain spring. 
Through childhood's hanging gardens and 

youth's 
Uneven terraces, seek this new 
Confluence and harmonious glide 
On to the limitless ocean. Harmonious ? 
Aye, if you will it so, and each 
May bear the other's surface ripples. 
With the great deep below all undisturbed 
And calm. Mysterious beings, we ! 
Transformed by circumstance to gayest 
Birds floating air-poised, or warbling mellow 
Note; anon, silent with folded wing. 
Our nature baffling keenest scrutiny, 
We set a watch— we say, "Soul ! I must know 
Thee," but the various moods distract our 
Sentinel, with rapid march and counter- 
march 
Dealing confusion ; what we are, 
Forever learning ; what is our bosom 



172 LEAFLETS FIIOM 



Friend, failing to fatiioQi, wrapped up 
In this similitude of flesh. 

Enongli! 
These lower grounds of our aequaintunee 
Teem with sweet deiiglitsome P^dens. 
I wish thee joy. 



LIFT UP YOUR EYES. 



I had bent wearily 
Over my six days' labor. With hand 
And eye attent while the swift hours chased 
One another, and their stroke fell stinging 
On my ear, like lash V)r spur to hurry 
My o'er-wrought powers unto the eveninor's 
Goal. For me the morning shone but to give 
Light to guide my toil. Whether the night 

had 
Stars or moon I knew not. 

The birds chattering 
About my window of summer plans, 
With the hum of the small trio reaching 
On tiptoe to spy out their nestlings 
In the apple-tree, smote on my nerves and 

sent 
My needle's point into my quivering 
Fingers. No peaceful thoughts run gentle 

rhythm 

These distracted days; now loud, now faint, 
The ceaseless recapitulation went on. 
At length this week like other weeks grew 
old, 

My self appointed task completed, I 



: 4 

NATIVE WOODS. 173 



Rose up and wandored dreaiTiily 
Outside the door. I lifted up my eyes ; 
Was this the same world I had inhabited 
These tiresome days? This firmament, how 

wide, 
How lovely! This universal green, how 
Soothing to eyes dazzled with following 
Shining steel ! Tiie air dewy and cool, 
All full of mellow sounds like restful music 
Charming every sense. 

Laborers weary 
In all departments of this busy life. 
Lift up your eyes. These narrow bounds 

limit 
Machinery, but not results of toil. 
Lo ! the blue vault retreats before your vision. 
And lesser things grow less. No haste at- 
tends 
The grand niiijestic movement of the spheres ; 
The seasons march in stately silence ; 
Lovely creations meet us each morn, 
Counselling diligence and patience. 
This perfect rose is product of a plan 
Outlined in Eden. Six wonder-working 
Periods date a beginning beyond 
Our finite thought. He who sits upon 
The circle of the earth is over all. 
Keep the upward outlook clear, so skylight 
Shall illume the difficult pathway, and 
The unquiet spirit abide in peace. 
Lift up your eyes. 



♦ ♦ 

r — " *r 

174 LEAFLETS FROM 



SUMMER. 



The skies are smiling in the g\m\ June light, 
That yearly comes to woo thecliangefiil earth 
Unto a mimele of loveliness ; 
The trees have shaken off their wealth of 

blossom 
To put on their rich abundant fruit. 
Amid clustering leaves I hear low, 
Rustling music ; not the saddened air 
Of the old dying year, but a fresh, new 
Tune of Summer's childhood. 

There have come swift 
Heralds to the woodland and the sheltered 
Nooks and sunny glades have each prepared 
A fitting garland for young Summer's brow. 
Other fleet messengers paused by each 
Door, and bade the roses lend their blushes 
To her cheek. I saw them peeping out this 
Morn to see if she indeed were here, and 
Ere the noon they clasped her to their hearts. 
She cometh with the joyous step of a king's 
Daughter; no glittering pageantry, no 
Pompous retinue forbid the humblest 
Page, but her attendants spring from njan^^ 
A wayside, and the ministers of her 
Sweet will in all her Father's wide domains. 
She hath no favorites ; all may alike 
Dwell in her smile through her long days, 

and at 
Her evening banquets sit as honored 
Guests. Her courts— the spacious fields, the 

palace— 



NATIVE WOODS. 



The broad earth, sky-roofed ; there is not one 
Of all her many subjects wlio doth not 
Play the lover ; worhl-wide they sing- her 

eharnis. 
We welcome her to-day with glfid acclaim. 



RAILLERY. 



There's ti mischievous twinkle in thine eyes' 
deep shade, 

With frolic and fun they o'er-flow, 
J'vesmiled as 1 gazedand have musingly said, 

"He's devising some witchery now." 

How strangly, yet plainly, we fancy oft times 
The thoughts on the features we trace, 

While the soul flasheth out through its cur- 
taining blinds 
Its visible form in the face. 



Oh ! think not thy heart like a tablet unseen, 

'Tis no diiiicult task to define 
What sort of exchange passes current within, 

Thou canst not deceive me in thine. 



MEMENTO MORI. 



They told me it was but a child, 

They laid in silence down 
Beneath the bright and pleasant earth,- 

In her bosom dark and brown ; 
They tolled the bell less mournfully. 

And methought their tears restrained, 



176 LEAFLETS FROM 



Saying, "only a little child," 
And went their ways again. 

But my heart wandered drearily 

To the home late so brio^ht, 
Where gladness drowned in sadness 

Morning gave place to night; 
Though rosy faces gathered 

About the cheerful room, 
A shadow over the cradle 

Enveloped all in gloom. 

There were fresh and breezy voices, 

Lips of roseate hue, 
And eyes whose very brilliance 

'Twas blessedness to view. 
But the baby of the household— 

The lambkin of the fold. 
The new-born hope, the latest joy, 

Was motionless and cold. 

And the mother's eyes with weeping 

Had suddenly grown dim, 
The father's trembling lip betrayed 

'Twas agony to him, 
The group of sorrowful faces 

So innocent, so young. 
Proclaimed surpassing strength of love 

Whose tendrils closely clung. 

The world speeds on with busy care 
Or vain and thoughtless mirth. 

While daily little coffins go 
Out from the homes of earth ; 



•^ 



NATIVE WOODS. 177 



Silence is for the lisping' voice, 

Tears for the merry glee, 
Where naught remains to the eager clasp 

But a tender memory. 

Pitiful end if this were all, 

And winsome shapes which cast 
So slight a shadow on the wall 

Hold so much of love; at the last 
We shall find there is nothing lost 

Of the darlings or the love, 
Hopes that happily outlive earth 

Are translated above. 



RESURRECTION. 



"As we have borne the image of the ea,rtli.v, we shall also bear 
the image ot the heavenly." 

"Gh! Death where is thy sting? Oh! Grave where is thy victory ?" 

Our little Flora, living with us daily 

In our home. 
Full of mirth and music, flitting gaily 

Throuarh each room 
Like a beam of sunlight, or a breath of bloom. 

Ours, yet unknown, wrapped in childhood's 
mystery, 

Day by day 
We conned with eager eyes the growing his- 
tory. 

Hid away 
Choice little passages for a future day. 



178 LEAFLETS FROM 



-h 



So nine rapid summers touched and bright- 
ened 

Flora's brow, 
While the covenant angel gently troubled 

Depths below, 
And the radiant spirit meek and tender grew. 

A new trophy of the immortal story 

Of the cross, 
Her young life hath gathered wondrous glory 

In its loss. 
Child-conqueror through her Redeemer's cross 

Angel of your household ! anguished human 
parents, 

Life is long 
Which life's great end so beautifully answers ; 

Oh ! be strong. 

Flora lives and sings among the white-robed 
throng. 



IMPROMPTU. 



My friend, these sweet-breathed 
Flowers are faithful messengers. How well 
Their lovely faces mirror loving thoughts. 
I look and lo ! each subtle phase of tender 
Sentiment springs into form, repeating 
The old sweet story in its winsome way. 
Oh! silver tongues may sway the multitude 
And human voices have wondrous charming 
Cadences, but they who read, through brim" 

ming 
Eyes, in golden silence, the unwritten 



JS^ATIVE WOODS. • 179 



I>,anguHj?e of the lowly flowers, hold 
A delightful cypher which unlocks all 
Mysteries of expression. 



OPPORTUNITY. 



Not on the delicate pure expanse 

Of a frail and fading page, 
Whose very existence hangs in doubt 

And dims with the dust of age. 

Not on the restless, varying sand, 
By beautiful wave-washed shore. 

The noblest motto of firmest hand 
You may hardly trace an hour. 

Not on the marble so cold and white, 
Which the chisel and the steel, 

May cut to its hard and pulseless heart 
Impressions as they will. 

I stood in an olden place of graves. 

Vaults dim and shadowy, 
Where some but a little time had lain 

And some for a century. 

And the wild and tangled undergrowth 

Encompassed many a stone. 
Whose gray and tarnished surface pained 

The eye to look upon. 

The sculptured work of mightiest art 
With its outlines true and fair 

Shall sometime crumble, and in the dust 
Lay the glory it doth wear. 



♦f 



180 I.EAFLETS FROM 

Not upon these— with diamond [)uint 
And your pen of living lipfht, 

No time's effacing touch destroys 
The tablet on which you writ(\ 

On susceptible, unfolding souls, 

Earnestly, prayerfully, 
With bold true stroke and unerring mark 

Engrave for eternity. 

INTERLUDE. 



Sometime thy restless feet 
Keeping swift time to thought's impatient 

march. 
Momentous interests thronging thy busy 
Brain and heavy on thy heart, will tread 
Unconsciously within a charmed circle. 
Lo! I wind to a sw^eet minor key these 
Slender threads, their low and tender notes 
Thou wilt not hear 'mid conflict. Some sterner 
Music must stir thy spirit then and make 
Thee strong, nor when thy heart from some 

delicious 
Draught out of life's cup doth thrill and bound 
Ecstatic; no, not then— the gentle undertone 
Vibrates and swells harmonious 
With soul-stirring anthem and joy's wild burst 
Of melody as well, but in the tumult 
Of thy thought thou canst not hear. 

Hark ! when 
Returned victorious, with ungirt 
Armor and a loosened grasp upon thy 



NATIVE WOODS. 181 



Trusty l)Iade, thou dvvellest awhile in peace, 
Or when the exuberant spring]: hath 
Settled to calm flowing; tread lightly, 
Sottly, these minor chords shall play entranc- 
ing 
Prelude to new victories and richer joy. 



TO IDA. 



My Daughter dear! 
Eleven swift years ago, 

Your infant form 
Tenderly clasped as now 

For the first time I held ; 
80 gratefully content 

By mother-love compelled 
My head o'er yours I bent, 

And back to the dear Giver 
Ciave the treasure lent. 

With toilsome step 
In erring weakness I've led 

Your tender feet 
Life's first flowery decade; 

Made velvet paths divide 
Your pleasures and your tasks, 

Oft carried you beside 
Still streams to bowers of rest — 

A heart of generous love 
Your own hath pressed. 

Time's ceaseless wing 
Marking each twelvemonth's stay 



^. 



^ _ _ 

182 LEAFLETS FROM 



With added growth, 
While it has taken away 

Infantine loveliness, 
As Nature's recompense 

Supplies maturer grace, 
Sequel of sober thought, 

Inclining to the way 
The wise have sought. 

My anxious heart. 
Conscious of impotence 

In best intent 
Of human moral sense, 

Upbears you, 'mid alarms 
From foes without— within. 

To Him whose sheltering arms 
Loving and wide shall stay 

The feet that early walk 
The narrow way. 

My Daughter dear ! 
Life is a blessed boon, 

But once received 
Never hath respite— soon 

The level, blooming way 
Ascends and narrows— oft 

Rocky and barren ; they 
Must climb who walk aloft 

With steadiness and care. 
And spirits animate 

By purer air. 

So meekly learn, 
My child, your course to shape, 



-- J^ 

NATIVE WOODS, 188 

Quick to lUfecern 
The heavenly Guide who keeps 

Invisible cognizance, 
Humble, obedient 

To softest inward voice, 
Stern toward self— lenient 

To other, crowning your choice 
With sweet content. 

Thus life*hall be 
To you, in beginning 

And continuance. 
The sum of good, winning 

Golden approval, and 
The beautiful bowed soul 

By God's renewing hand. 
From sin's pressure, shall rise 

Elastic to regain 
Its native skies. 



EXAMPLE IS BETTER THAN PRE- 
CEPT." 



What will you tell that little one 
Meeting the steadfast look, 

Discovering springs of action 
As out of an open book? 

How will you answer the questions, 
Eager, straightforward, true, 

Sifting all flimsy pretensions 
Faithfully through and through? 



^ 



♦^ 

184 i;kafm:ts i^miom 



Can you bear the jijlaiico of child hood 
Steady and keen and hritj^ht, 

lAko a glowin^^- burninjj;" sun-^hiss 
Or wondrous second si<^ht? 

A critic close at your elbow, 

Or sitting at your side, 
Discerning each look and gesture. 

Peering unwearied 

•• 
In at the» curious windows 

You vainly strive to veil, 
Divining your hiddc^i purposes, 

Divining when they fail? 

Swerve from the straight line of duty, 

Err from the law of love— 
The cheek of delicate beauty 

Flushes with hot reproof. 

Dare tolerate crooked deceit 
In tliought, in act, in word, 

Lo! the child on the judgment seat 
Maketh swift protest heard. 

Recount now how oft in a day, 

To this small tribunal 
You have been hastened away, 

Despite remonstrance all. 

To answer with earnest pleading 

Trifling discrepancies 
J5etween theory and practice. 

Condemned before clear eyes. 



f ^ 

! NATIVE WOODS, 185 I 



To 1)(^ huiy wliat we would seem, 

To (Jo as we require 
Is oursim[)le daiiy lesson-- 

Cati we learn :i hi<i:her? 

Oh! skillful Hud austere teachers, 
111 your midst sits a ehiid, 

Who is nearer tei the kincrdoui 
Pure and undefiled. 



DAY- BREAK. 



Fannie is sleeping 
In yon curtained room, while the slant 
Sun upri-es hriti^ht and high, the vision 
Of an endless day begins. All the night 
Long, affection's various shapes were gliding 
Noiselessly about her pillow, tender 
Careand tireless watch waiting love's lightest 
Bidding. The vital flame glimmered 
And paU^d before the morn's refulgence, 
(/oing out ere full meridian like 
An exhausted taper. 

Scarce whiter 
The blanched cheek and pallid brow, than 

when 
The soul from the wide windows of human 
Habitation flashed immortal gleams. 
Beloved and young, fond eyes braved 
Trustfully the struggle of disease 
With strong vitality, while Hope lit up 
The cheerful tower 'mid a lone waste of Fear. 






I HO li;aki;kt8 from 



b'nuj^litcd thus witli untold carlhly treasure, 
iiiCe's little bark went dow!), up from its 

wreck 
Castinij;' a precious Ira^uieiit on th*' shore 
( )r time. We have; seeo the iKtautiful temjtle, 

once 
Illuinined by si)iritual presence, closed and 

})arr(Ml. 
Hushed an^ tlu^ lialls lat(^ echoiii}^- tunelui 

voi<'e 
Ofsoiij^. The leaden mists of loneliness 
And desolation, scttlinj^ down, well ni^h 
Obscure th(i sky. 

Oh ! grieved heart, 
Bleeding and faint with unavailinf^' woe, 

Thy murmuring ('ease; 
Slorm-driven and t(Mnpest-tossed, 

Nearin<j^ some dangerous coast's 
l)elusiv(; ease, 
Acco[)t safe conduct and ji^lad entrance 
Into th<; i)ort of Peace. 

1 low canst thou vi(!W 
I'Yoin this low atand-point the thick comin";- 
years' 
lOventful march ? 
J low shield thy best-beloved 
From unadmojiished ill, 
Incvitiiblo pain ? 
J low shade from eyes bedimnied by freciuent 
tears, 
Thecoloriim-of Iif(^? 



♦^ 



NATIVE WOODS. 187 

If earthly love 
Be the ^]i\(\ sum of happiness below, 
The portion, sweet, 
Which hath a spice of gall 
Ever enibitteriuj^, 

Oh ! what shall fully prove 
Delightful taste of the unminglecl fount 
Flowing above? 

Unselfish joy 
Shall, sharpest pang of sorrow thou dost feel, 
(Quickly destroy. 

If Christ is life. 
To die is wondrous gain ; 
\'ictorious crowns. He can dispose at will, 
And end the strife. 



A JUNE BOaUET 



Radiant through last night's tears 
Flower-faces beam on me a sweet surprise. 

Over the garden gate a generous hand 
Proffers a lovely, unexpected prize. 

I In the June sunshine revelling 

My roses wander in their own wild way, 
j 7'/iis rose knew careful culture, in rich blush 

I And liberal fragrance it doth well repay. 

Clustering snowy Viburnum, 

Heartsease in velvet tricolor, past praise, ! 

Tiny gold buttons crowning slender stems, [ 

j And quivering pendants upon leafy sprays. j 

^ ^ 



♦ ♦ 

"T '' ' ' ' T 

I 188 L.KAFLETS FROM 



i<rs. 



Tenderly touch them, living tliiu 

Wondrous in beauty as diverse in kind, j 

Simple and pure, their voiceless eloquence | 

Thrills the mysterious universe of Miml. \ 

This summer day wears added ji^race, j 

The tinge of kindness mellows all my' j 

thought, I 

And shining threads across the sober web- 
Life's else dull fabric, tastefully, are caught. ; 



INVITATION. 



Come now and be my brother; look tliou here, 

See how the circle is all incomplete, 

And how love runs to waste. My parents 1 

weak words 
Are insignificant to measure out 
Their portion. My husband! Draw a veil 

round my heart's 
Holy of holies, sacred to him. My little 
Ones— life of my life ! But there is many a 
Chamber warm and large waiting a guest. 
Wilt enter there and dwell ? Wilt gather up 
Some of the golden links and bind unto thy 
Spirit? Hast no need? hath tiie great hollow 
World so kindly dealt with thee that thou hast 
Never felt this longing undefined 
And undefinable— have dearer loves 
With their mysterious presence barred tlu' 

door ? 
Were I to offer thee a delicate harp 



-I- 



♦ 

I . NATIVE WOODS. 1<S9 



♦(N»- 



Whose cords were tretY)l)lin;j;' with swc*- 

somuls, wouldst thou 
Refuse th(3 j^nft, l)eeause, forsooth, the setting 
Were less rare aiul beautiful ? The Summer 
Breath evokes ^l^^olian airs. Tiie soul 
Of sonff is silenr. in the untout-iied harp, 
i-'ronounce we never the tone of any 
lustrunient till we have swept its strings- 
won 
For ourselves some masterful response. 
Here, try thy skill, and awaken melody 
If melody there be. 

■ •*• 

AUGUST FIFTH. 



It was a iiij^ht of stonn, liiit the inoniing broke clear and boan 
fill. Wii stepped out from the presence of death and stood a m< 
iiir ill the serene light. 

Hail lovely morn ! 

Baptized in lig^ht, 
Thy wondrous calm is i)orn 

Of storm and night. 
What tidings late from heaven ? 

Before thy earliest ray 
Heralds of brighter day 

Were sent to our beloved. 

W^ith wistful look 

Surpassing speecli, 
Midway 'tween worlds he took 

Survey of each, 
. While thought became too great 

To sound with mortal tongue— 



4 « 

190 LEAFLETS VllOM 



And the now lioavenly song- 
Is not for our dull tars. 

So peacefully 

Tiie silver cord 
Loosened its tenure, 

As late fledged bird 
Fluttering softly up, 

Soaring in gliid surprise 
The broad exi)ansive skies 

With growing confldence, 

i5ring freshest flowers, 

For so each niorn 

Through the slow weary hours. j 

His eyes would turn j 

Unto their radiant hues - j 

With soft admiring gaze, | 

And lowly spoken praise— | 

"Are they not beautiful ?" ' \ 

Oh! life so brief, 

(And yet so long 
We sometimes ask relief,) 

Thy ties are strong; 
We feel the grander swell. 

We stretch the upward wing, 
But then we turn and cling 

To what is tangible. 

As side by side 

This rugged road 
We walk, oft sorely tried, 

Following our Lord, 



- Jh 

native woods. 191 

We seem to catch a gleam 

Bright as of opening Heaven, 
And h) I wings have been given 

Some of our company. 

Shall we say "Nay, 
Plod here with us," 

Or gird us patiently 
To brave our loss ? 

Assured of their sweet gain- 
Confident they will wait 

First at the pearly gate 
When we are entering. 

Oh! faith, thy flight 

Is loftier, 
Beyond this human sight 

Intense and clear. 
Evidence of the unseen, 

Substance of highest hope, 
Lift our low vi«ion up 

Toward the Unsearchable. 



TO LILLIAN. 



No gift in my esteem, 

My precious child, would seem 

Too great to crown 
The blooming year, that now 
Its seal upon your brow 

Drops lightly down. 

No fixed apparent line 
Marks with visible sign 



^ 



♦ , 

I 192 I.EAFLETS FROM 



The period, 
When childhood's fairy rei^jfii 
Approaches the domain 

Of Maidenhood- 

Yet my fond eye can see 
The dawn of sweet maturity 

In your young: heart ; 
In all the household need, 
With loving helpful heed 

You bear a part. 

And when too heavily 
Life's burdens upon me 

So often press. 
Your slender shoulders bow, 
Electric currents flow 

Through mute caress. 

Yet through my blessed gain 
Quivers a thought of pain. 

For well I know 
Your sensitive heart must share 
The sorrows others bear, 

Where'er you go. 

I wreathe you o'er with love 
Around, beneath, above, 

My garlands twine, 
All daily sweet supply, 
All tenderest sympathy. 

Is but its sign. 

And if the consciousness 
Of steadfast love is bliss. 



NATIVE WOODS. 198 

Rejoicino- Unow 
The heart that held you first 
Forever holds— at worst 

Cannot let go. 

1 covet earnestly 
A better legacy 

For you than earth, 
The [)ortion of the blest 
Whose chastened lives attest 

Their royal birth. 

So shall the fleeting years 
J*r()ve white-winged messengers, 

Fluttering down 
Fro'VJ Heaven's infinite blue, 
Deftly to fashion you 

A starry crown. 



SEPTP:MBER ISnr, 1872. 



"All lleav'n, 
And happy constellation's on that hour 
Slied their selecte^influence." 

Lift up your eyes 
In glad surprise 
To see from dark-browed night 
Such tender splendor greet your siglit 
This day of days. 

The atmosphere 
So pure and clear 
Aspires on spirit wings 



♦ 

r 



To waft tlu> .-ublimiiry tilings 
< )!' luunan lot. 

Tlic .sunbeam's j^lovv 
Suffusing now 
Tliis ck'iir (airiiliar house 
Walls and windows boconjc iuniinous. 
And gilt-c'dg(Hl all. 

The spreading trees 
Tossed by the bree/e 
Scatter tlie ehangeful light, 
Checker tlxj sward— the lawn is brigiit. 
Anon subdued. 

This shining scene 
Inlaid between 
You fold fragrant ni(Mnori(;s, 
Embalm the sacred, by-gone days, 
And tremulous, 

Arise to wear, 
With graceful care. 
Over the daughter's modest gems 
And sister's paler diadeni, 
The bridal pearls. 

Friendsh+t^ true and tried, 
( )n every side, 
Gird the new horizon 
Of your invisible unknown, 
With promise bows. 

No earthly gift 
Can so uplift 
Manhood's loftiest aim, 



! XA'rn'K WOODS. lo; 



( )i' <^rac(' a woiDjmiiocd siiproiiie 
As llcavcirs (lower. 



So (lai'k oi' hrij^lit 
l']i)slirinin*j;- lvi*i;iit 
Walk ever in tlic ;^lo\v 
or the eternal ebanj^eless Xow, 
And know no ni^ht. 



TlIK STEPS OF FAITJI FALL OX TJIJ- 

\'OIl) AND.FIXD TJIE ROCK IJF- 

XKATir." 



.Mono- the busy thorouj^hfare 

A lather led his child, 
<^ne tiny finder ^ras|)ed his i)alni, 

Secure, she walked and sniikid. 

The way <i;re\v narrow, and the erow<l 
Compelled a irioinent's stand, 

Whih; the small voice implorin<4- said, 
"JX^ar father, take my hand." 

Onvv'ard witli swift and ea<^ei- feet, 

Beset with vague alarm, 
Seeing not, but clinging fast 

To the strong father's arm. 

Onward, but the brave impetus 
O'erflowed the brimming cup, 

Tear-laden rose the tremulous cvy. 
"Oh father, take jne up." 

So in some clear and sunny pjdhs. 
We lightly hold and own 



^ 



i !{)() i.KAFijyrs i-'iio.M 



()iir l-'atlicr's kind extend*'*! liaiul, 
Or try to walk alone. 

liut tho ron<^-l] places and the hosts 

( )|)p()sinj.',', brin^i" a stand, 
Om* luiniaii weakness falters out, 

"Dear Father, take my hand." 

'Pile way *;rows perilous, we ciin;^* 
With tile stron*;- «;rasp of hope, 

Out of tlu^ depths cry mightily, 
•'Oh Father, take nie up." 

< )h ! everlastinjj: arms of love, 

Tender and elose enfold, 
Nor let us on the sunn\ slopes, 

Kelax our child-like hold. 



l»r'r VK ON TllF LOKD .IKSFS 

cmusr." 



Put Thee on, Lord ! ah how? 

Before such glorious dress 
My luinible stature shrinks 

To veriest lowliness. 

I*ut- Thee on, Lord, all-fair 
All-lovely as thou art I 

Oan I such raiment wear 
Over this wayward heart ? 

Shall matchless symmetry 
Oh)tlu' sad deformity? 

Shall heavenly radiance 
Transtij»-ure common clay? 



-I- 



^'AT[VE WOODS. 19"; 

Will not tlu'so sin-stains mar 

So s[)()tiess an array, 
Or tieshly contact soon 

Sully its purity? 

Shall costly ornanuMit, 

Not proudest princess wear. 
Gilding these lowly streets 

My daily ^arb appear? 

Ah yes! over the rags 

Of all sell-ri<;hteousness, 
Dispose the shining folds 

( )f this resplendent dress. 

Put Thee on, Lord? I will, 

Thy spirit helping ine; 
Gird me that I may wear 

Thee, meekly, day by day. 

•«»•- 

IN EVERYTHING GIVING THANKS." 



Thanksgiving! (Jome, my soul, 

Record the mercies of one fleeting day ; 
What moments o'er thee rolled 

With love tokens unblest, 

ITnfraught with happiness, 

Since morn of yesterday? i 

What careful thought of thine 

Led thy oft wayward steps this f)leasant ' 

I road ? 

These skies with lustre shine, i 

This landscape sweetly smiles, ; 

^ 4 



^J^ 

11)8 T.KAFI.ETS FIIOM | 



JMelodioLis sounds the while 
Await thee all abroad. 

No hidden painful thorn 

Jn this rose-path luith pierced thy ten- 
der feet, 
On unseen pinions borne 

Above this lower sphere, 

Where Love's wariri atnios[)here 

Surrounds tliy blest retreat. 

When wrapt in last nig-ht's rest, 
Intoxicate with bliss, thy closing- eye 

•Forgot its watchfulness, 

Whose kind protecting' Hand 
Kept thee, while o'er the land 
Tempests raved furiously? 

When tlie swift thunderbolt 

Freighted with death thy head was hang 
ing o'er, 
Whose word of stern command 

Shielded thee lovingly. 

And bade it passing by 

Fnter another door? 

Dost see this circling Arm? 

Beholdest thou marks of especial care? 
And doth intense alarm 

Extort thank-offering 

Thou dost not daily bring, 

Spontaneous— not rare? 

Know then— utmost extent, 
And knowing, melt at thy ingratitude, 



I 



NATIVE WOODS. 10!) 

I'll is .sure protection sent 
Is but a little drop 
Jn thy o'er-flf»\vin<;- cup 
Of rich, unmeasured j^ood. 

What narrow tortuous patlis 

Gaping witli i)itfalls thou hast trod se(;ure, 
Traversed what giddy heights, 

Whence one uneven step, 

One faltering look below 

Made swift destruction sure. 

Take thy unfailing chart, 

Survey the landmarks on tlie heavenly 
road , 
]:)ethink thee, dost thou walk 

Humiliation's vale. 

On Mount Delectable, 

Or Beulah, blest of God, 



GOS8AME1I. 



What is this, 
Weaving through October sunshine 

A bright fantastic thread. 
Caught up from lowly grass blades, 

Festooned overhead. 
In the light 

Gayly changeable, 
Floating in the shadow j 

Almost invisible? 

I • I 

^ _ _^ 



T 

:00 l.KAFl.Krs FKOM | 

i 

\\'h;\t nia.u'ii' | 

Poftly (hvw so slotidor tibro 

Throuii-h oouiuloss skilltul toils. 
l!vor c'liniuMirly ontaiuliiiu- 

In its silkiMi coils? 
Miniio Inirs, 

Liko tlio worlirs otinuotu* 
Closoly ivstrictiiiu" 

l-Aory tluHii;htlos<; stop. 

Who shall say, 
Witli a ci>iitulom*o as^uroil. 

Wlioro this tl(^\irous woavor is, 
lUisiiy imMiiliui;- tho broktMi woh. 

Or ,u:ui(lin,i^ il"^ broiilorit^s. 
Silk, broaiU'loth, 

rlothin.ii: in si Ivor lac''\ 
AdtUuii* flowinjj: tViiiiifi^s 

With a pooiiliar irrat'O? 

.MusiiiLrly 
I follow this labyrinth. 

rouninii* sonio provorb wiso, 
Whon a length of reatly oahlo 
U <pun across my t\vo< : 

Aha-ha ! 
1 suiUlonly sooni to luwr, 
j With this luockinii: whi^por, 

I "Only a j:o>isaniorl" 

SiH^iety I 

strtMchin.ii* in lU^vious ciivlos j 

A nia/.o o( porploxity. 



XATIVK WOODS. 

Wo pursue tlu^ tiiu<;kMl skein 

or ultimate destiny, 
Oft V)linde(l 

And turned sadly amiss 
J5y those }2:litt(>rinj>: snares, 

Cross threads of selfishness. 

]5y and by 
The viji:orous north wind bn^athes 

Over this hazy air, 
Sweei)int!: li,uhtly, suddeidy elear 

This fret work of gossamer; 
r>y and by 

The sober Winter of fact 
Will scatter the fiimsy veil 

Between motive and act. 



FIFTEENTH WEDDING ANNF- 
VE118ARY. 



201 



All crystal gifts be yours, beloved! 
Crystal gifts mirror crystal wishes well, 
(liVittki and frail, alas ! tho' lair,) as 
Perishable shrine, they sometimes 'scape 
Our fond possession, falling to dust, but the 

pure 
Wish inclosed, as spirit incarnate, 
Lifts beyond all that shatters, itself 
A crystal essence. 

One decade and a half 
Your separate lives have blended. 'Tvvere as 



. ____^. 

202 LEAFLETS FROM ' 



Two inountain springs foaming in glad ex- 

uberenco 
Past rock and root and shelving terraces, 
In the sweet vale below settled to common 
Level, confluent henceforth. 

Through what still 
Places or unquiet straits the sacred 
Stream since swept, not mine to know. My 

subtle 
Thought makes difference, harmony, and 

dearest 
Love consistent with unlikeness. 'Tis depth 
Andswiftness meetingobstaclesgives sparkle, 
And depths are still when surface ripples rise 
And effervesce. 

I wish 'neath crystal skies. 
Through crystal periods, o'er crystal channel. 
Your united course to crystal melody 
Set toward the crystal River. How fair. 
How clear, how deep, River of Life! thy 

shining 
AVaters stretch beyond terrestrial limits; 
Lives rich and glad, lives troubled, worn and 

sad, 
Herein eliminate all that is earthy, 
Clear as crystal flowing from the Throne, 
On either side the trees of healing 
Standing in crystal light. Himself the crystal 
Source in the Celestial City of our God. 



TS^ATIVE WOODS. 203 

TWIN IMMORTALS. 



♦I- 



Budded, to wither— born, to die — 
Life's orij^in and end, bounded by one 
Pale moon — the scope ofits possession, 
Conipassed by a span — duration, summed 
In inches— a cradle's breadth, sufficient 
For two graves. 

Elaborate vases. 
Fashioned to enclose spiritual essence- 
Luminous dust— visible semblance 
Of the invisible— exquisite shapes 
A passings moment, tenanted by angels — 
Hare pictures, framed betwixt Tin:ie and 

Eterniti^— 
Twin-embryo of Immortality. 
Thus, side by side, lay them inseparate, 
Softly dispose their white baptismal robes— 
The Blessed walk in white— bring mrytle. 
Wreath it so; its glossy leaf and colorless 
Blossom, fresh with love's early dew, befit 
80 pure a burial. Birth was but death ; 
Death but another birth. Cherub and Seraph 
Are the kindred terms infant and man 
Approximate. Progression gains in Heaven. 
God's gre^t Economy produces not 
Misshapen characters, here nor beyond. 
Fetters and clogs hinder the earth-born 
From his inheritance — scales dimming — 
Baits alluring— weakness and weariness 
O'ercoming— development slow 
And imperfect— long years of rudimental 
Lessons. 



f ♦ 



204 LEAFLETS FROM 



The Heaven-born rise the eternal 
Cycles with untiring win;^— they go 
From strength to strength, l>eginning with- 
out end. 



r 



SLEEPING. 



Hoftly through the gossamer 

Of October mist 
Stream the chastened sunbeams, 

In her cradle; kiss 
Little Nellie sleeping. 

On the light winds murmuring 
Through the forests l^rown, 

Stately monarchs playfully 
('ast their leafy crowns 
Little Xellie wooing. 

Beautiful unconsciousness ! 

In that hushed room 
Vain is nature's charming; 

l^niversal gloom 
Sitteth on the threshold. 

Voices tender— tremulous 
With un fathomed love, 

Pleading agonized caresses. 
Powerless to move 
Little Nellie's slumber. 

Ere to-day meekly seeketh 

Its returnless bourne, 
Brighter visions glorify 



I 



♦ , '__ ♦ 

r ♦ 

! NATIVE WOODS. 205 I 



The ei) rapt a red morn 
Little Nellie knoweth. 

Mourn we the forsaken temple, 

The deserted shrine, 
Dimly through tears discerning 

God, supremely kind, 
Little Nellie taking. 

Weary thoughts out wandering 
Through the dark unknown. 

With unutterable longing 
For the darling one, 
Little angel Nellie. 

Deem not the blessed Saviour 

Stern and pitiless, 
Even when His hand is heavy. 

Love is measureless, 
Ceaseless, loving you. 

Doubting never, O! remember 

How He walked below^ 
Touched by sorrow, sweetly soothing. 

Willing, waiting now 
Thus to comfort you. 

Bearing life's severest pressure. 

Sternest discipline. 
Thus to lighten tenderly 

Human suffering. 
Knowing every pang.. 

Softly walk, joyful parents 
Of an angel child, 



♦I- 



I 206 LEAFLETS FROM 

i 

Overpast this wilderness 
Heavenly prospects smile, 
Irradiate all between. 



WITH THE GIFT OF A FANCIFTL 
CROSS. 



I would that every cross you bear be 
Fashioned tenderly— the while I shape 
This slender shaft, I symbolize my thought. 
Clear set agrainst the shadow, its white arms 
Seem appealing to an invisible 
Strong one. May love determine and adjust 
For you, adapting to each need lit strength, 
And grace— while meekly bending to the 

burden 
You go on conquering by this sign, 
And joyful wear after Ihe cross the crown. 



"USING AS NOT ABUSING.' 



Oh! ruby clusters! hanging in the sun 
Your ripe abundance, full of health-giving 
Juices, cool and fresh to fevered lips. 
Who would guess ye might be turned to 

poison. 
And with hot torrent rush through human 

veins 
To madden and destroy ? 

Oh! luscious grapes! - 
In royal purple, medicine and food. 
Beautiful to the eyes, bearing benisons 



■\' 



4 



NATIVE WOODS. 



20- 



or tlie sick ; the limit of .your usefulness 
Is past, when from the foaming vintage 
A serpent sha[)es and moves itself aright. 
( )h ! Yellow fields of waving grain ! whose 
Liberal store repairs the wastes 
Of life, and enters vigorous its large 
Aetivities, how pitiful that your 
Perverted use should raise the cry for bread 
Where bread is not, and mock life-long the 

hunger 
Of the heart! 

Ah! pertinent counsel, "Using 
As not abusing." If wholesome good. 
By straining its intent, become 
'1 he instrument of sorrow and destruction, 
Shall we repeat the experiment, 
And multiply the sorrow, and defy 
Destruction ? Will not a true philanthrophy 
Wisely choose abstinence, and coll that use 
Abuse, which might offend a brother? 



1825—1875. 



Open the doors of welcome, 
For of all the days of the year 

The Golden Anniversary, 
The auspicious day is here. 

Crown it, heautiful snow-WTeaths, 
Rather than laurel or bay ; 

It heralds life's ripe December 
And not its blossoming May. 



-I* 



.t^ - ^ - . t 

' 2()S LEAFLETS FRO^l \ 



From their scattered homes they tiy 
Back to the shelterin^^ nest. 

Whose cordial hospitality 
Widens for every <^uest. 

In the midst of his children 
Sits the Patriarch hoary, 

And matronly Queen Esther 
With more than re<yal glory. 

For of all precious treasures, 
Treasures of love are best. 

And home the fairest king-doni 
A monarch ever possessed. 

Like Abraham of renown, 
He left his country and kin 

To rear this altar of worship. 
And gather a household in. 

In a stern and rugged soil 

Laid his firm foundation stone; 

This group of gentler graces 
From virtuous root has grown. 

As in the olden forest 
The thrifty saplings spring. 

And spread out comely branches 
Where folded leaflets cling, 

80 doth this family tree 

Perpetuate, and renew 
Its life, in mature^vigor 

And budding loveliness, too. 



NATIVE WOODS. . 209 

Complete now the golden link, 

Encircle the fireside round, 
Pronounce the magic syllables, 

Let innocent cheer abound, 

While with voices of blessing 

We mingle joyfully 
Our best congratulations 

On this half a century. 

Some days shone glad and sunny, 

Some gloomed sober and gray ; 
Life's dial i)()iiits past noon tide 

And its hours hasten away. 

Around this hallowed altar 

Where fifty years ago 
This pair alone were witnesses, 

We reverently bow. 

And ask that the shady hillside 

At evening time may be 
Lit like a golden sunset. 

With radiant prophecy. 



TO MY DEAH BOY, 



While October's mellov/ skies 
Fringed the woods with flame, 

Straying down this valley 
A little pilgrim came; 

Neither rank nor fortune 
Did he claim to bring 



^J^ 

210 LEAFLETS FROM 



But he took possession 

Like a, very king. 
Gentle hands were gathering 

All the tender flowers 
Into sunny corners 

Ere the frosty hours ; 
But no flower was tended 

With such dainty care 
As this frail exotic, 

Nestled in its fair 
Covert, snug and fleecy, 

Through the Winter day 
Basking in the sunshine 

Love maketh alway. 

So the blue eyes opened 

Wonder-wide, to view 
Scenes and faces changeful, 

Days and objects new. 
Learned to light with pleasure, 

Learned with mute appeal 
Cunningly folded secrets 

Hourly to reveal. 
Time flew on unheeding 

How the marvels grew. 
From jthe inner temple 

Glimmering softly though, 
While i'ike rare enchantment 

Shone the fleshy veil, 
And the hints of promise 

Were perpetual. 
What a group of graces 



4 

NATIVE WOODS. 211 I 



Link this lecreanl star 
I>y divine cotinet'tions 
To the Hoine afnr! 



Wondrous transformation ! 

Is this sprifjflitly boy 
Both my pride and comfort, 

My torment and my joy. 
The curious manikin 

From the hmd unknown, 
From a fairy's stature 

These proportions j^rown? 
Fourteen revolutions 

Mark this natal day. 
But I'm dreaming— dwell in i^ 

On that far-away 
Sweet period, when life 

In folded beauty lay 
Before my little pilj2:rim— 

Himself a mystery ; 
When the small figure clasped 

Securely to my side, 
Within that tropic circle 

Was fully satisfied ; 

Before uncertain steps 

Wandered to explore, 
And conquered mysteries 

Stirred love of conquest more 
Before the enemy 

Possession coveted, 






212 LEAFLETS FKOM 



This soul a new arena 

Of issues (>Teat and dreail. 
1 would lead tlio dear feet 

In wisdom's pleasant way, 
I would win the youni^ iieart 

To love the right alvvay. 
But lo ! the royal road 

Leads upward to the hills, 
Huncian weakness falters 

Nor half its hope fulfills; 
Oh ! in doubtful moments 

May a tender voice 
Or fond compelling touch 

Influence his choice. 

Sometimes my sturdy laddie 

Befuses to perceive 
Love in its stern disguises 

That restrain or grieve, 
Not always inward whisper 

Effectual to win 
The impetuou'^ spirit 

From itself and sin; 
The unwilling service. 

The impatient word 
Is spice of bitterness 

Through all my comfort stirred, 
But the precious tokens 

Of tender thoughtful care 
Sweeter than honey-drops 

Unto my hunger are. 
Restless, wayward hero! 

Do you care to know 



nativp: avoods. 213 

How Miy vsure love follows 

Wheivsoe'f r you go? 
in the busy daytime, 

In the silent night, 
Strong as triple cable, 

Limitless as light. 

(drowning you with blessing, 

Heavy when you fail, 
Alert— roiisriou.-.— liopeful 

If the right prevail, 
With no small ambition 

Ever satistied, 
Coveting the best gifts, 

Treasures that abide, 
Sure that every pilgrim 

(Tiiough the thought be pain,) 
Must through foes and conflicts 

Victory attain. 
Courage! youthful soldier, 

Humble, watchful, brave, 
Don the shining armor 

Of One strong to save ; 
Love is ever cognizant 

Around — beside— above— 
Who wins the worthy crown 

Is debtor unto love. 



ope:n sesame. 



Archly beaming from this plate, 
Read the mysteries of Fate 
In these dark depths lurking. 



214 LEAFLETS FROM 

Here behold, s«-cnrely chained, 
Features thou hast often scanned, 
Fondly gaze, "nion aiiii." 

Would'st the precious truth reveal? 
This thy truest oracle 
Full of kind assurance. 



A LIGHT FANCY. 
Dear Mrs Fanny Brock way Fay, 
How it enlivens a rainy day 

To sit in pleasant places 
With busy fingers and quiet mind, 
Nor hearing the rain, nor heeding the wind, 

Think of sunshiny faces. 

They smile upon us delightfully 

From their niche in the wall, or silently 

Flash such a peculiar light 
Our chaos of thought becomes order. 
We seem to have reached the border 

Of privileged second sight. 

"Let there be light"— that wonderful day, 
Sprung on Creation ages away, 

Ever since has been shining 
Thro' starlight and moonlight and sunlight, 
Through twilight and firelight and lovelight, 

Mellowing, warming, refining. 

"Lesser lights'' too in variety, 
Lighters of doubtful proprietj^ 

Innocent "cigar lighters," 
Content to fashion a diamond frame 



-^ 



NATIVE WOOD8. 

Kather than shine in a tip of flame 
Ilequirin<i: "Underwriters." 

My trio plaiting- these trifles for you 
.Sought an appropriate line or two, 

1 thouofht a gold thread to spin, 
Becoming' entangled, lo ! it has run 
All over creation, up to the sun, 

lUit please find one end within. 



ti:mperance campaign song. 

Sound aloud the silver trumpet! 

To the standard of the free, 
Brothers, rouse ! your forces rally, 

On ! to bloodless victory ! 

Heed no vain, discordant music. 

Scorn unholy bribery. 
Earnest words your truest weapons, 

Onward f)ress to victory I 

Underneath Truth's glorious banner 
Fearlessly your strength array; 

flighty energies resistless 
Lead you on to victory ! 

Representatives of labor, 

Sinews of society, 
True in heart as high in purpose, 

Claim a speedy victory. 

Westward lo ! the "star of empire" 
Moves with swift returnless sway, 

With unbroken front march onward, 
Resolute to victory ! 



♦ ♦ 

j 210 LKAFI.KTS FROM 

Witli 'A wide and kind encirclinji: 

Of the loved ones all tlie May, 
Claspinj^ hands with wave-washed Maine, 
j Seek no seetional victory. 

' For your hi<»h and lioly hi rth right, 

I Priceless blessing: of the free, 

I For their pure administration 

I.ahor hard for victory. 

I Overturning?, Change and Proofress 
j 31ark the world's dark history; 

j Some true men the Lord hatii chosen 
j Arbiters of destiny. 

Sound aloud the silver trumpet ! 

Rear the noble standard hi^hl 
Equipped fully, press to coufpiest, 
I Sobriety and victory ! 

*^« 

(rOOD Rl^:SOLUTIONS. 
Two boys were saunterint:: along 

Discussing the news and weather. 
With an air of assumed "sang froid" 

Boys practice when together — 
The street ran black with fertile loam 

Stirred up by yesterday's shower. 
With no i)romise of springing grass 

Or hint of delicate flower. 

The passers-by shuffled along. 

Or trode with daintiest care, 
(For Cambridge has slippery places 

The public must be aware; 



-^ 



NATIVE WOODS. 217 



DiFiily gleaminci^ through April haze 

A shimmer of gold and blue 
Fell, as you've seen a sunbeam fall 

Through the shadows and boys too. 

Sii>s James to John, "I often think 

Fietween the pauses of play, 
What I shall be, and what shall do 

Say fifteen y'(?ars from to-day ; 
Yesterday in a book I read, 

Some wise one presumed to say 
A boy at twelve has a character 

That will last him all the way." 

Just then with brisk business tread, 

An erect and manly form 
Strode by, with swift and cheery glance 

And, "Good morning hoys, good morn,' 
The eyes were eager that followed 

Ihat figure upright and true, 
And John replied, "I'd like to be 

A man like that wouldn't you ? 

They pausing sought a cleanly spot, 

And out of their pockets took 
Their idle hands, and thoughtfully 

The mud from their stout boots shook 
With the einphasis of new resolve, 

That brightened each boyish face, 
And swelled, a golden living germ 

In a moist and sheltered place. 

A hum of fresh young voices near— 
A vision of fair girl-faces, 



218 LEAFLETS FROM 



Three pnirs of e^'es peered modestly 
Like violets from shady phxees, 

It truly seemed each quick sense cau^^ht. 
And noted with kindly lieed 

Tlie sober purpose of John and James — 
But they only said, ''Good speed.' 



A PLEA FOR THE BOYS. 

Scuiddinjjc in troops by my window, 
llag^ied, barefoot and S'ay, 

Little bronzed ligures eareerin*^ 
Every hour and wa3', 

Challenge my fancy to running- 
After, in merry chase, 

To find if these sturdy [»eople 
Have really any place 

In the f!:reat world-work, which presses 
Heavily on the strong, 

And tempts them e'en to forgetting- 
How the years move along. 

Some have sprung from their door yards, 

Like a dandelion 
r^'rom a velvet emerald plat, 

Pleasant to set eye on. 
Upright, domestic, pronounced, 

Wholesome, happy and neat, 
With unmistakable symptoms 

Of something fresh and sweet 
In their careful household training; 

They look up as you meet 



NATIVE WOODS. 219 



V\'itJi fen r less and sunny salute— 
Yield a part of the street. 

Others, with much that's untidy, 

Dirt and careless attire, 
Mino^le some sliinino: qualities, 

Kindle with manly fire; 
Quick to discover injustice, 

Impetuous to defend 
The cause of the weak and helpless, 

The honor of a friend ; 
Full of fun-loving and daring, 

Wiiistling, boisterous boys, 
Defying all proprieties, 

Thrilling the air with noise. 

I've looked in scores of faces, 

Eyes black and brown and blue, 
Of boys who met my scrutiny, 

Wakened interest, too. 
I confess a singular weakness 

When I hear a shout ahoy, 
I fall to computing tlie worth 

Of the average boy ; 
A swift electric current 

Connects my heart to his, 
Through his humor and liis pathos 

Range my quick sympathies. 

Ilere and there rises a hero, 
Frank, attractive and free, 

Who leads in the rollicking games, 
And couples visibly 



^ ♦ 

220 LEAFLETS FROM i 



A stirrinjii: mao^netic presence 

With nature's nobleness, 
Winning eacli best youthful temper's 

Hearty response to his; 
Tiie phiy^round is the arena 

Of fair and lawful strife, 
Where the soul of the man's hoiior 

O'er shadows boyhood's life. 

Alas! there's another picture- 
Grieved am I to say, 

That rosy-hued lips can open 
For profane words a way ; 

I'd rather have soil on garments, 
On hands, or blooming face, 

Than that such inner defilement 
Should mar the spirit's grace. 

Dear boys! have you thought what being 
Your person occupies, 

Look-out those wonderful windows. 
Those speaking, tell-tale eyes? 

Have you thought what a chance is yours 
To be soldiers, every one 

As brave, as loyal and steadfast 
As the sun shines upon,? 

A daily battle before you — 
Foes worthy of your steel— 

A conquest of self— the rebel- 
Control of tongue and will; 

Shall King Alcohol humble you, 
Shall Tobacco ensnare, 



f -" A- 

I NATIVE WOODS. 221 i 



Or vile and ruinous passions 
Distort your features fair? 

The world worships nobility, 

Each hoy \>y ri^ht is prince, 
But the lierita^e of liberty 

Has deep siofnificance; 
No youthful monarch prepared 

By careful «nsci|iline 
1\) govern a thrivin^i: province, 

And rule his fellow men, 
Mas need of more thorough training, 

Safeguards of home and school, 
Than America's free-born sons 

Taught themselves to rule. 

1 do not quite understand them ; 

INhtny curious kinks 
Sorely puzzle wisest parents, 

jMore than the solemn Sphinx. 
Their innocent, frolicsome moods 

Make me heartily glad, 
I honor their brave intentions, 

Pity their failures sad ; 
Because their possibilities 

Reach beyond human ken, 
I cherish a tender regard 

For these embryo men. 

Fathers and Mothers at evening 

Sitting quiet at home, 
Or sharing social pleasures. 

Have the truant boys come? 



^r 



♦^ 



^♦^ 

222 LEAFLETS FROM 



Or do tlipy around the corner 

Witli rude, out break in<i: g-lee, 
In the fading tvvili<^ht gather 

To tempt an enemy ? 
^Vhere are the youth of the li()U.-:Jehold, 

The country's stalwart hope? 
Over the way in a bar-room, 

Tasting the dangerous cup ? 

Or miiigling in doubtful i)ursuits, 

That tarnish the fresh glow 
Which like a shining aureole 

Crowns each innocent brow? 
Oh ! widen the bright home-circle, 

Summon the wanderers in, 
Let pastime, converse and music 

Vie your loved ones to win. 
Treasures you painfully garner 

By toil of hand or brain 
Perish, but virtuous children 

Amass immortal gain. 



PARODY 

riij 
Friends ! 
1 come not here to tcdk. You know too well 
The story of our thraldom. We are skives! 
The bright sun rises to his course, and lights 
A race of slaves ! He sets, and his last beam 
Falls on a slave : not such as, swept along 
By the full tide of power, the conqueror leads 
To crimson glory and undying fame; 



^ 



NATIVE WOODS. • 223 | 



Jiut fjdse, ignobfc slaves! slaves to a clique 

Of petty tyi'Mnts, usur|)ers, elieats, 

liich in superfluoiiH distilleries, 

III millions of base luere, coined 

From blighted human lives, and broken 

hearts; 
Strong in tlieir l)rethren's weakness; only 

great 
In potent, giant (^vil. 

Each hour, (hirk fraud, 
Or open rai>ine, or protected murder, 
Cries out against them. liut this very day, 
x\n honest man my neighbor— there he stands, 
Was struck, struck like a dog, l)y one inflamed 
With liquid nuuhiess, because, forsooth, 
He (hired to stand erect in conscious 
Maidiood, nor yield the path to staggering 
Footsteps,— nor yield his right to mighty 
Protest at the ballot-box. 

Be we men. 
And suffer such dishonor? ^[eil, and rise not 
To wipe the stain away? Such shames are 

coiumon I 
I have known deeper wrongs. I, that speak 

to ye, 
I had a brother once, a gracious boy, 
Full of gentleness, of calmest hope, 
Of sweet and quiet joy : there was the look 
Of heaven upon his face, which limners give 
To the beloved deciple ! 

How I loved 
That gracious boy I Younger by fifteen years, 
Brotlur at once, and son ! He left my side, 



4 



I 224 LEAFLETS FROM 



A sumnior bloom on liis fair clicek, — n smik^ 
Partinjj^ his innoccMit lips. In one short hour. 
That pretty, harmless boy was i)oisoned. I 

saw 
The unsteady step,— the blood-shot eye,— 
The feverish mania burnin<j: 
In his veins,— I saw the pitiful stru^ji^Ie— 
The shameful weakness— the sinful yielding 
Of innocence and virtue ; — I saw 
Jiim humbled, disy:raced, defiled, 
And then 1 cried for veno^eance! Jiofi.sc yc, 
Americans! Rouse ye, slaves! 

Have ye brave 
Sons? look to behold the wily tempter 
Haunt their daily paths, lurk inji^ in innocent 
Guise, or bold in deadly Durpose. Look ! 
To see them shorn of conscious strength — un- 
manned — 
Dishonored— LOST, body and soul! 
From some fierce street brawl plunging to 

headlong ruin, 
Or sliding the drunkard's sure declivity 
To endless death. Have ye fair daughters? 
Look to see them bound to loathsome crea- 
tures, 
Dragging out their sweet young lives, in 

hopeless 
Torture; weeping till tears are spent— plead- 
ing 
Till breath doth fail— and if ye dare to call 
For justice be answered by a taunt. 
Yet this is fair America— our boasted 
Land, who from her eminence of Liberty 



-^ 



». 4 

NATIVE WOODS. 225 



Invites the world to counsel.— The youngest 
Of the nations, whose broad acres connect 
Two oceans;— whose citizens are kindred 
Of all people, whose laws claim as foundation 
Kternul truth and equal right. 

Why! 
Upori land and sea her flag is sacred. 
And the oppressed of every clime 
Throng to its wide protection. — Are we 
Americans ! the very name is 
Synonym of freeman. 

Hear ye walls! 
That echoed to the tread of noble 
Martyrs, once again,— I pledge perpetual 
Enmity to old King Alcohol! 
And swear the brave Republic shall be free! 



CONGRATULATORY. 

Smile on, October skies! 
Your brilliant changeful dyes 

Fling wide and bright, 
And tints of gold softly enfold 

Our horizon to-night. 

Beam down, O silent stars ! 
With broad and mellow bars 

The shade light up, 
For wistful eyes seek prophecies 

In yonder horoscope. 

Draw near, ye trusted friends ! 
Love sweet enchantment lends 
To bridal hours, 



J^^ 

226 LEAFLETS FROM j 

■ I 

I 

And hearts are stirred wliile ixMider word.i 
Blossom 'mid orange flowers. 

One treasure ricli ;md rare 
On this new pli*;hted pair, 

Dear Lord! let fall, 
The pearls of truth's immortal youth, 

A shinin<» coronal. 

No wealth or costly <;irt 
Shall so tliese souls uplift 

x\s heavenly dower. 
Do so reveal thy perfect will, 

Thy mystery of power. 

That these expectant eyes 
Behold aurora rise 

To cloudless day. 
Each liallowed place by crowning!: grace | 

An Eden of the wa3\ i 

For infinite above 

Our priceless human love, 

A^Sovereign holds 
His high reserve to shape and swerve 

Our wayward human souls. 

Sweethearts! bow reverently 
Before the ministering 

Evangel love, 
With wannth and glow foresliadowing 
now 

The Paradise above. 

[ ^ 

t 



NATIVE \VOOI> 



27 i 



A SOU V EXT II. 
Si>n!(nvhore I dimly rcmeinher 

A iegend quaint «nd old, 
or a Prince who ji^ave to ins bridt^ 

A wonderful ej^g of gold. 

At the touch of a hidden spring 

The ellipse open flew, 
Disclosinjj: a jeweled casket 

To her deli<?hted view. 

Another sprin^i:, and like magic 

The tiny world unfurls, 
Till its innermost heart reveals 

A diadem of pearls. 

A beautiful crystal truth 

This fanciful story veils, 
Whose key to life's curious riddle 

Applied, no prophecy fails. ; 

Our Prince is representative— | 

A type of noble line— 
The marvellous mystical ef.^g 

His sacred marriage sign. 

Can she find the delicate spring i 

Unclosing the oval first? I 

Can she patiently bide the time 

Till the dainty casket burst? ; 

Will she tender generous exchange I 

Guerdon of silver speech ? i 

Will she out of golden silence I 

Far beyond language reach? j 

-J, 

t 



i 228 LEAFLETS FROM 



ThroutJ^h Home's radiant ecliptic 

Ever gracefully move, 
Exaltiii;[? to its Iiigh i)!aMe 

Humblest service of love? 

If so, she shall modestly wear 

Her pearls— a very Queen 
Over choicest inheritance 

Mankind has ever seen. 

For, richer than gold or jewels. 

Above rank or renown. 
The pearls of refined affection. 

Gather, a lustrous crown. 

And she who would wear must win thetn, 
And he who gives must own, 

They conquer the world together — 
Neither sovereign alone. 



AN EPISODE. 
Brightly through jewels of frost 

The Christmas sunshine fell, 
Touching darkness and shadow, 

A shining miracle; 
Up and down through the dwellinj 

Voices happy and sweet, 
Clear as chime of silver bells, 

Answered hurrying feet. 

I heard a pleasant murmur 

In the distance away, 
And nearer articulate 

Words of the olden lay, 



♦ 

^ 

NATIVE WOODS. 229 | 



"Merrie Christmas," "Merrie Christmas," 

Like the magical li^ht, 
Chterino^ siuuiy corners 

With warm tints and bright. 

in our little domicile 

Plump by the chimney hung- 
A tiny pair of stockings. 

Over the way there swung 
A larger pair, whose owners^ 

Witii air of m^'stery 
Hi tied of rustling treasures, 

Summoning all to see. 

Down stairs tripped two maidens. 

Gleefully wondering how 
Santa Claus came to be straying 

The u})per regions through, 
i had watched with interest 

Folded packages ope, 
Scanning the play of features. 

Eager with radiant hope. 

Some of the older people 

A choice little surprise 
Had sprung, to spice the breakfast 

And kindle sober eyes^ 
By and by I grew quiet 

With earnest thoughts of the day, 
Its tender significance, 

The serio-comic way 

We meet it, our hearts trembling 
Just on the edge of tears, 



230 LEAFLETS FRO^t 



While smilino^ly we balance 
Burdens of hopes and fears. 

A strange step left the tlireshold, 
Some one suddenly came 

Handing a gilded volume 
To me, in a friend's name. 

AVhen I should have arisen 

To make grateful reply, 
No words answered my bidding, 

But ranging silently 
Bose picture upon picture — 

Some from a treasured Book, 
O'hers from unseen pages 

Concealed from careless look. 

Then, suddenly, the pathos 

Of Christmas melted me, 
I saw each blessed picture 

In new sweet liarmony. 
In the background dindy grouped 

Myriad human forms, 
A central lowly Figure 

Clasped by embracing arms, 

AVhose wonderful halo crowned, 

Whose tender glory lit 
Many familiar faces 

Illuminated yet; 
A Presence hovering softly, 

As of old the heavenly dove, 
Filled the eloquent silence 

With one sweet key-word— Love. 



♦I- 



♦ 
NATi\'i': wo<n)s. 231 



TIIK LKGiKNl) OF THK LEAVES. 

S1h)u!(1 you nsk this tiny basket 

(>rit>i history nnd purpose, 
Lest sucIj huj.'-f' ilcniaml o'(^rtn^k it, 

Let me weave the siivipie story — 
Relic of its ra!!cii j;l(iry. 

Onee ereet in (brni its libre-s 

Grew within a stately woo*! ; 
Man, the mighty eoiKiueior, 

'Neath its waving shadow stood, 
Measured ail its hreadtii and grandeur. 

Grasped its lofty giant arms. 
Sentenced unto iuimhle servic(^ 

Its diverse and ijristine cliarms. 
Thence tlie keen-edged axe began 

To h\y low the forest pride, 
xVnd the cunning artisan 

Did its very lieart divide; 
Blade of steel aiul tooth of iron 

Cleft and shaped the quivering grain. 
Some to dignity and honor, 

Some to baser use and stain. 
Piigrimto this northern border. 

Seeking friends and rest and home, 
Shattered fragment of a great past, 

Living link to years to come, 
Lo ! the spirit of the maples 

Flung o'er me this leafy guise. 
Foreign birth and native clothing 

Recommend me in your eyes. 



♦ ♦ 

i 282 LEAFLETS FROM 



Sometime in t!ie luish of twilijiht 

List the musical refrain 
Of my far-off happy kindred 

Tiirobbinff throu^^li my every vein. 



BEAUTY FOR ASHES. 
The beautiful snow vvreatiis lie 

Fresli on the broken sod, 
Where from our sad home yesterday 

Our sorrowful footsteps trod, 
As if in the still nijj:ht uns(>en 

An angol softly bent, 
And spread this spotless eoverlet 

From the weeping- firmament 
O'er our darlin.fi-'s bed. 

Oft over his rosy slumber 

I have folded the drapery 
Of his little eoueh, and murmured 

My sweetest lullaby ; 
A hand more potent and tender, 

A voice more soothing and deep 
Hath won from his mother's bosom 

And lulled to a dreamless sleep 
The wondering" child. 

Spring is at hand — with wintry skies 
Will vanish the snowy wreath, 

In nourishing drops enriching 
The dark mold underneath; 

Grass will rise and blossoming turf 
Sweeten the summer air — 



NATIVE WOODS. ' 233 



Beauty ffir ashes — life from death 
Proclainjiiij^ (everywhere 
Unsearchable power. 

Wondrous yearly miracle! 

Comforting this belief, 
That He who fasliions the flowers 

And notes eaeli falling leaf, 
By fondest human affections 

Typifies, here below, 
The i««\e of au infinite Parent. 

Ycarnin;? His ciiildr(n to show 
Fully to tru-t Lii{M. 

Take this comfort, sorrowing friends, 

For they are bics.-ed indeed, 
Vv' hose earliest steps and accents 

Follow tlie anjj^eis' lead. 
Your earthly home is in shadow, 

But a new ii<4ht pure and fair 
Gleams lr(jm»ihe heavenly window, 

And one of the cherubs there 
In doubly your own. 



"But not to me returns 
Day (;r tlie r-weet approach of ev'u or morn." 

Twilight is soft and mellow, 
Moonli<rht is beautiful, 
, Sunlij^ht is .-lr<ni,'th and glory, 

I But loveli-ht crowiK'th all. 

Twilight subdues dear features, 
Moonlight a halo supplies, 



234 LEAFLETS FROM 



The glad, rejoicing sunlight 
Illumines and glorifies. 

Lovelight with swifter magic 
Touches the plainest lines, 

And face and form transfigured 
A marvellous picture shines. 

Lovelight glows in the darlvuess. 
Kindling the fairer sky 

Of a wider univer.se, 
But O! so silently. 

Circles the patient forehead — 
Caresses the drooping eye — 

Envelops the weary >i>irit 
So sweetly and tenderly 

That utmost pain and weakness 
In such presence we forget, 

And liie's canvas is relieved 
Of its darkest silliouette. 

Many who sit in twilight. 
Moonlight and sunlight, pine 

For blessed dawn of lovelight 
With radiance divine. 

All the ^'lesser lights," Jessie, 
Fade and vani.-h away, 

Only lovelight is immortal 
For love makes perfect day. 



NATIVE WOODS. 235 i 



BABY'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF A 

CHRISTJMAS OUTFIT. 

MMiiy tlmiiUs for your timely addition.s 

To my sk'ndfr warrlrohe to-dny, 
I donned a new shirt in a Iiurry 
And laid my old linen away. 

j Ai rayed in thi.s dainty white coat 
! Color-tipped, its comfort I'll prove 

I Esteeminj.^ it like Josei)irs, the liadge 
I Of Somebody V generous love. 

i \Vraj)ped up in the wrapper I'll play 

I 'Tis a gentleman's dressing gown 

I And try to be graceful and gallant 

As any young man in town. 

With small feet encased soft and warm 
I resign myself to a rocking— 

Do you think there is any danger 
That 1 shall be a blue-stocking? 

Now under this quaint coverlet 
Methinks I shall slee[) very sweet, 

My dreams catch bright hues from the pieces 
Stitched into the labric so neat. 

And the dear little garments prepared 
For your own wee darling to wear. 

Who's been walking in white these twelve 
years— 
We'll handle with delicate care. 

Here's my hand — may you always be happy! 
Each Christmas increasing your store 



f 4 

i !23(> T.EAFr.F/rs from 



Of treasures, eiuluriii^' :ui(l precious, 
Until you sl.all ne<j(l iiothiiiji*,' more. 
Gratefully, IVdUy biue-eyes. 

ClIASTENED. 
Even as a child, whose faithful parent takes 
With a reluctant hand, the needed rod, 
Sutlerinij;- in every stroke, till haply breaks 
The stout rehellion, all drowned in tears, 
Lifts its meek lip subdued, to meet the ki-^s | 

Of forjciveness, and hastes by new obedience j 

To ii<^ht love's j^rieved face dim through its | 

Wiiywardness; 
So r, havin<»- felt tin- smart of a just | 

Father's rod with sad severity \ 

Drowtied in repentant tciirs falter, "Wliat 

wilt tliou," 
Faintly discerning the shinlnj; countenance 
Of unchanging love. 

**WE LIVE IN DEEDS NOT YEARS." 
At the hour of Sabbath service, 

\Vher(^ reverent voices blended, 
From an inner sanctuary 

A winged soul ascended. 
The clouds bent low and drearily, 

Obscured the Heaven of blue, 
Our tears and nature's so mingled, 

No sunshine could break through. 
But the conscious shining Presence— 

Her chosen royal Friend— 

- JL. 



,L.- - ♦ 

NATIVE WOODS. 287 



Attended tlie supreme moment 

When hurvian offices end. 
While we went down to the border 

or the unknown valiey, we knew 
That Death's mi<4iity C'onqueror 

Crowned her conqueror too. 

She had written a blessed record 

In (kities cheerfully done, 
In brave and patient endurance 

or crosses of her (uvn, 
[n kind and iiclpful ministry 

To oliiers' humljie need — 
She left t!ie beautiful histury 

(Jpen for us to read. 

Xothinof to do, but committing 

Herself to arms of love, 
C^uittin^ posses- ions below, 

Entering treasures above; 
Who knows but there came to meet her, 

Amonf? the «Ioril1ed, 
Her own |)i-ecious ciierub trio — 

We know she is satisfied. 



ETCHINGS OX WOOD. 

Written on the occasion uf a wooden wedding. 

Friends, did you ever exann'ne 
The wondrous structure of u ood, 

Or gravely seek to determine 
It secrets of growth and .L;()od, 

Locate its cells and its tibres. 
Or number from pith to bark 



r 



4. -4 

238 LEAFLETS FROM 



The perfect (H)noentric circles, 
Of years, the measure and mark? 

While rocked in the maple's arms, 
Or clasped to the oaken heart, 

Did no hint of common bein^ 
Throuo^h their living tissues start? 

How long the sapling was growing — 
How slowly matured the plan 

Of root, shaft, branches, leaves, fruitage- 
Behold in a ^gim—v((r)i. 

To him bowed strength and beauty, 

The artisan's cunning skill 
Invoked shapes of rest and shelter 

From the wood's treasures at will, 
Bnde broad trunk spread an enclosure, 

Supple boughs furnish a thatch, 
Straightway the saw and the hammer 

Divided, fitted and matched. 

From evergreen northern forests 

The odorous timbers come, 
Uniting with native nionarchs 

To rear the Temple of Home; 
The cliairs, the couch and the table, 

Utensils dainty and rude. 
Incomplete at choicest and best, 

Without the woman was wooed. 

And so this Eden was founded 

In strength, u()rightness and youth, 

With graceful sup])()rtlng pillars 
Of confidence, love and truth ; 



-f 



NATIVE WOODS. 239 j 



Five sol if 1 consecutive rinj^s 
Of growth the years have hesto\ve<l, 

Inlayintr with marvelous skill 
Jii two fairy patterns rosewood. 

Beyond slight surface ahrasion 

Xo deep disfiguring scar 
Rurgests sorrowful memories, 

This blessed occasion to mar; 
Sweet by contrast becomes sweeter. 

And strength is matched to need, 
E'en trial hath precious u«es 

Well worthy of loving heed. 

Gather then all choice devices 

Of color, and forfn, and grace, 
Be dark and light finely blended, 

Give use and ornament place, 
Frame pictures and fit the mantel, 

Hang bracket, and roll, and scroll, 
And write on the lintel "Welcome" — 

Your he.iith in a wooden bowl- 

With life's delicious elixir 

Fill high each varied cup, 
We pledge in flow of living sap 

From root to foliage up; 
Yonder mahogany form 

Embodies music's soul, • 

Here from the library's niches ; 

Genius and wisdom unfold. } 

From this bower of enchantment 
Interpret the murmurous sound | 



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♦ ♦ 

_ . — ^^ 

240 LEAFLETS FROM 



Which floats on the passing^ zopliyr, 
"We ^rovv and therefore are crowned ;" 

Few may aspire to l)e giants, 
Not one can compass the sky, 

All can strike deep and reacli upward 
And live out a purpose high. 

The elm caresses the maple, 

The nnt-trees stand close and still, 
The pines mingle whisi>erinj>' needles 

With each other on the hill, 
While from the golden Occident 

Gigantic old heroes spoke 
A salute to Orient cedars. 

Which echoes of centvirics wok(\ 



Then throngli the grand convocation, 
Leading s})irits of the wood 

Chose Lignum Vitao their emblem, 
And all pronounced it good. 



A BROKEN CliOilD. 

The tuneful voice is hushed, 
Which froiri my e^sriy childhood I have heard 
Leading the hymn oi praise. The quick, sen- 
sitive 
Elar, trained to nice harmony, nevermore 
Jarsat earth's discordant sounds. The urgent 
Summons given with startling distinctness, 
"Come up higher"— he ascended to his place 
In the redeemed choir. Oh! how sweetly 
Breaks the divine melody upon his 



-f 



i' 



I NATIVE WOODS. ' 241 



Attentoar. With what delijrht his practised 
Voice mounts tlie new lie;iveniy sca)e. 

To-day, 
Yoii}i<^- voices raisf^ the tender sonf^s he taught, 
My eycso'crilow — '*TJj)on the liillsof Heaven" 
They softly sinj,^— the simple v/ords thrill like 
A Prophe<'y. No tears for him; ransomed 
And free he wallas in white who one brief 
week 

Ago wroiiglit, as we, 'mid manifold 
Temi)talions. Will our work shine as gold 
When the lire trieth? liinna!) and frail we 

take 
Up daily the burden of life and follow 
Afor the Master's blessed steps. 

MY PRINCESS. 
She Cometh us the dawn— From Orient skies 
Beams the warn] splendor of her earnest eyes, 
Witli lambent touch she swiftly s<-atters night, 
And makes the scene shine, linnijtousas light, 
Serene, uticonseious, 'mid tlie slsadows glides, 
VVMiile every shape of darkness quickly hides. 
Bright faces turn to catch the generous glow. 
From sad eyes kindling Auroras flow. 
Humble as any daisy of the sod, 
Whose disc reflects the glo!-y of its God, 
She chooses rugged walks, and lowly ways. 
Blushing at l)lessirig, renders Him the praise. 
Her s})eech run.-? silven o'<m* jls crystal bed, 
In depths of golden silence oft to SDi-ej^-'. 
Her step is firm, as one who knows not fear. 



^ 4- 

I 242 LEAFLETS FROM 



Her face is glad, as one who wears no care. 
Her manner, winsorrje as a playlnl child, 
Her wisdom rare, her [)ur|»()se undcfiled, 
Her iTiinistry, luanilest in deeds of love, 
Ambitious, chief of servants still to prove; 
Nor doth she slight the homely household 

cheer, 
Velvet and purple, she doth daily wtnir 
With modest courtliness. Her garments 

smell 
Of fragrant myrrh. Her quiet movements 

iell 
Of swift aerial flights, and skill 
In Love's divinest magic. Her looks thrill 
Magnetic sympathies, electrical. 
She soothes the weary watch, the feverish 

strain, 
And drops the balm of comfort upon pain. 
She guides the shrinking spirit beyond Earth 
To the Eternal strength, th.e heavenly birth.— 
My Pi-incess, is of ancient royal line— 
The daughter of the King by every sign. 



CONCERNING ONE ASLEEP. 

Not hers tne light sleep 
Of the morn, troubled l»y early sounds 
And waking iriei.iories, nor yet the mid-day 
Lethargy compelled by weariness; 
Hers the calm slumbrous rest when day is 

done. 
Busily she set her house in order, 
Lit up the shaded corners, hung her fairest 



*^ 



♦ 

NATIVE WOODS. ^ 243 j 

i 

Pictures on the soiiil. re walls, spread the floors | 

With soflKst velvet of humble ministries, \ 

With sweet content filled all the hours and | 

slept. ! 

Here is a life rounded unto completeness, ! 

Four score years of brisl< activity, 
No painful helplessness, no folded hands, 
No weary waiting' for the jrlad release; 
A life of prayer, a life of faith, a life ; 

Of hope — complete in Jesus. 

"Them also which sleep in Jesu^ 
Will Ood bring with Him." Take comfort ^ 

here. 



HEARTSEASE. 

Two velvet pansies 

And two wee tansies- 
Each scented tricolor laid 

On palm of green fringes, 

Caught between the hinges 
Of flower border and garden bed. 

Two eager feet sought. 
Two busy hands brought 

Such simple trophies to me; 
The fair sensitive face, 
AVith fine thought upraised, 

I looked through my tears to see. 

Wearily sitting, 
'Mid sunbeams flitting 
Through golden October air, 



♦I- 



I 244 LEAFLETS FROM 



1 mused of soro losses 
And shrunk from life's crosses. 
Nor found any comforter. 

In and out tripping, 

Like a bee sipping 
Honey from common clover, 

F^uH of innocent joy, 

Glad with pleasant eni[>loy, 
My sunny-haired, clear-eyed lover 

Made errand to find 

Some solace, to l)ind | 

Over the hiddi'ii achioi^, | 

Confessinj^ suf) rosa^ | 

This brave, mod«'st l><>sy 

Held mysteries of iove-makinj:. i 

A quick, conscious tlush | 

Su {fused, like a bhish i 

From my heart, my chanj^in;f? clieek : j 

The skies jjflovvinjj^ briy^hter, i 

My heaviness li^rhter. 
The secret I venture to speak. 

''Ye varied flowers 

Of midsummer hours, 
O'er whotn connoi.sf'urs hover. 

Your rare beauty lovin}4-, 

Your odors approving, 
Philosophy fails to discover 

What exquisite grace 
I find in the face 
Of this flower of lowly mein, 



^ 



NATIVE WOODS. 245 



TliMt wifh studious eare, 
Proii'l and ha|»py. I wear 
>]y rricolorwl velvet and tureen.'' 

The herb and the flower, 

In their little hour, 
Conspired this truih to prove, 

Tiiat for manifold ills 

Healing halsam distills 
Into one panacea, love, 

By a process -low, 

In which sinall drops flow 
Throuirh life's alemi»ic pure, 

Ethereal essence, 

Whose spirituous presence 
liitfuses a radical cure. 



SONG OF THE LILIES. 

Among their clustering leaves concealed fvoiM 

sight, 
The lilies of the valley, seek the light, 
Beauty and fragrance modestly possess 
Adorning other grace with lowliness; 
Their tiny bells are mute to common ear- 
Instinct with melody toj^hpse who hear. 
For lightly .-waying in the^^NIay air 
A psalm of life they reverently declar^^— 
••Whoso is humble shall exalte<I be." 
The crown of graces is humility. 



240 LEAFLETS FROM 



TO-MORROW. 

Has any one seen To-morrow? 
I hear that she passes this way, 

A vision of radiant beauty, 
A veiled and gracious queen 

Whom the world has never seen, 
She will surely ecli[)se To-daj'. 

Has any one seen To-morrow? 
Ever since the early dawninj? 

I've followed afar her retinue; 
So swift hath her passaj^^e been 

I cannot o'ertake her train, 
I fear I shall miss the crowninj*-. 

Has any one seen To-morrow? 
Inhabits she earth or air? 

Her coming: is welcome as summer, 
Her fingers clasp opening flowers, 

Her gifts are choice golden hours. 
Oh! where is To-morrow O! where? 

To-day proves stern and exacting, 
To-day waxes fickle and vain, 

Her promises are all uncertain, 
She makes me sorry and sad 

Instead of happy and glad, 
I never can trust her again. 

They bade me wait till To-morrow, 
Considerate, generous, mild, 

To recompense numerous losses, 
To transform every sorrow — 

I've been chasing To-morrow 
With courage, since I was a child. 



^ 

NATIN'i: WOODS. LMT 



W^j- yesterday Irowniii;^. ciouflyV 
Hope uridisiiiay«-d would Uorrow 

A cjliinpse <»f suporlativf tiritclitnc^;- ; 
Whate'er wr()n«r needed rijihtiujr, 

Whene'er dark needed IJKlitifij^, 
I clieerfully ^^aid 'rf)-?nojrfi\v. 

But I arn uf^aiy with -'-aichintr 
This crooked bewihleriiiir way. 

Dh I (TUP I inv]-ihl«- prinees* 
W'liere tarry you, wasting all 

My nioriients beyond recall? 
J cannot out-travel To-<lay. 

if 1 ,-leep in lailli tlial To-Jnonow 
W ill awake me with grt-etiriir- T'^\\ 

'Tis f>nly a dream—a delusion. 
A phantom— elurlin«^ f)ursuit, 

An oracle — mo<-kinji-. mute; 
To-morrow\> another To-day. 

Oh ! mucii ahused j)reciou.- To-day I 
Js it true the secret you hold 

Of To-morrow's richest possessi(jns ? 
Do her dear coveted things 

Arise from your fostering wing:s, 
Like new life from out KarthV-dark nifWd? 

Then cease useless quest for To-morrow . 
Continue steadfast in tiie way, 

A halo encircles time present. 
The eager grasp firmly close 

On real substance ; Repose 
Introduces To-morrow to-day. 

— •♦♦< 

f 



-f 



24^^ LEAFLETS FROxM 



"Are tlit^re not persons h-forr whuin our hal'itiial resei-v<^ v;i>i- 
( islies, who un'oosc our tonsuns jiml we spoak, who anoint our <■>«•> 

Hiid we see, who inspire ns so that we soem to ourselves like oth- 
er beings in anew world of thontrht an<l feeliriij. -Steep ns," we 
Kay "in these influences for <lays ami weeks and we sliall lie snnn.v 
IKiets.and will write out in many colored words the romance that 
I you are." 

In eiisterii oity, onco, there dwelt -a man 
< )f modest p:irts and lowly modeled way?^, 
i With c'unninjj^ hand hi^ dailj^ task lie 

wrought, 
And peaceful evenings recompensed his days; 
i Over a harp of curious workmanshi[) 

\ He sometimes bent, and with abstracted air 

, Drew strange swtui't sounds, then paused 

I and pondered 

I Whether the spirit of the harp were there. 

! One journeyed from afar— a pilgri»n slept 

A night upon his hospital)le couch, 

Her heart was weary, but the idle harp 
, Responded quickly to her lightest touch ; 

"There's something in the shape of harps" 
she said, 
As with bold stroke she swept the tuneful 
strings, 
Invoked the invisible spirit, Hark I 
What burst of melody the movement brings. 

Upon his table lay a useless stone— 
A fragment from the lonely ocean beach, 

"What have we here?" she said, with ea- 
ger hand 
Gathering the welcome relic within reach ; 

A shining hammer from her belt she drew, 
And smote thestoneaswift and vigorous blow, 



♦ 

^ 

NATIVE WOODS. 249 



The obdurate oval yielded, open flew— 
l]i]sphered a form of crystal pure as snow. 

An arbo) in the garden needed shade, 
A vine he planted, but some careless foot 

Had trodden on it; walking there she spied 
Its delicate tendrils climbing from the root, 

Its rare cleft leaf upturned, distinct, and 
tine, 
Joyful exclaimed "this is a passion-vine, 

For generous culture it will well repay, 
In royal purple clothe itself one day." 

The dweller and the pilgrim turned to meet 
A soulful look from one another's eyes — 

Swift revelations charged the moments 
fleet, 
Flew vitalized through conscious sympathies; 

"Whence came you, whither going?" 
thrilled his voice, 
She answered, "I return to Paradise," 

"Abide with me and share my best estate," 
"Crown Love," she whispered, "only love is 
great." 



250 LEAFLETS FKOM 



ALBUM NOTES. 



A friend is one vvho.se subtle claim 
Consists in somethinf^: more than name ; 
Some fine congenial quality,— 
Or some rare opposite may be 
The ligament, whose slight connection 
Draws the cable of affection ; 
Truth, purity, and sterling sense 
Twist three-fold cord of confidence, 
(Without which I freely advance 
Opinion, that no genuine chance • 
Exists for Friendship.) There is room 
P'or all the graces here to bloom, 
For choice refined courtesies — 
All delicate aftinities— 
And Friendship's soul may be enslirined 
In Beauty's self— a brilliant mind. 
Or Luminous through plainer guise 
The living spirit glorifies. 
My fair ideal you divine- 
Am I your friend? Will you be mine ? 

Here in this north countrie 
Has grown a shapely tree, 

Where summer birds and zephyrs 
Discourse sweet melody, 



♦ _______ ♦ 

>-m-* ■■ - ■ — — - •■•-I 

♦ ♦ 

XATIVK WOODS. 2.")1 



Jiiit \\]\9u shadows lengtlicn 

Tiicre coiries a liiut of frost, 
Birds speed swiftly away, 

Winds veerard routj^lily toss. 
Her crown of radiant jpaves 

The tree easts iriournfuily, 
And braces her heart to hear 

iJe-A-rtion patiently. 

Let Friendship l)e the tree, 

Rooted secure and fast, 
With never a thought of fliglit 

Xor fear ortici^le blast ; 
What though the leafy crown 

Be laid aside like a dress ! 
Becausi' in lujuiely guise 

Love we our friends the less? 
Xf-ver forsaken and shorn 

While vigorous life abides, 
In wariri weather-proof chambers 

Bright budding promise bides. 

''IMeasant words are as the honey-comb.' 
Gather honey, Lizzie, 
The sweets of the diligent l)ee 
Are culled by the hour 
From many a flower 
Kre garnered for you and me. 

(rather honey, Lizzie, 

A varied and bountiful store, 

For poor is the field 

That never will yield 

Enough for yourself and more. 

♦ 

^ 



2o2 LEAFLETS FMOM 

Here on these paji:es pure, full many hands 

Tokens of kindly memory shall trace, 
Here shall be woven mystic friendship bands, 
Whose circles wide meet in this hallowed 
place. 
3Iany the wishes love shall ])ere indite, 

^Iar)y the prayers to tuneful measure set, 
'Mid scenes of varyino^ shade and chano:eful 
light 
Whose briglit unfoldino^ thou wilt ne'er 
forget. 

To the dear altar of domestic bliss 

Where peace and love and harmony preside, 
To the sweet boon of life-long happiness 

With a tirni trust in Heaven whate'er be- 
tide, 
To all the joys earth's happiest children share 

JJIooming immorial on thy heart's pure 
shrine. 
Cherished by virtues, love and tender care, 

1 fain would dedicate this book of thine. 

Not only (/ue but all these precious tilings. 

Seldom to mortals given, 1 ask for thee; 
'Tis no vain wish — its kindly import brings 

A gush of tender feeling to my eye, 
W^hen future years their shadows o'er thee 
cast, 

W' hate'er thy lot, whate'er thy future be, 
Amid life's changes shall these pages last, 

Friendship's sweet offering, boon of mem- 
ory. 



NATIVE WOODS. * 253 



These tinted leaves are my garden, 
Where shady or sunny weather, 
Mignonette, pansies and roses 
Happily blossom together. 
Scatter then some favorite seed. 
Each friend, and the beautiful thing 
Will take its own form and rolor, 
In memory's perennial spring. 



My niche pass not by 
With an averted eye. 



Friend of the leafy summer — 

Friend of the winter chill — 
No transient new comer 

Your chosen place can fill; 
Fly not with birds of passage, 

No changeful season prove, 
Full-orbed, serene, abiding. 

Illume the sphere of Love. 



When fully armed and equipped 
At Home's threshold you stand, 
Consider carefully whether 
Your handkerchief's at hand ; 
It increases the self- res |iect, 
I m [troves the general tone. 
To hold in quiet possession 
A handkerchief of vour own. 



Remember the H\vf('t< of our intercourse. 
Was anything insipid, sour or bitter, time is 
the great rectifier. 



♦ 

^ 

254 LEAFLETS FROM 



Youth's dew is on thy brow, Lottie, 

Youth's fire is in thine eye, 
And Hope within thy heart, Lottie, 

Is throbbing! quick and hi^h ; 
The rose upon thy oheek, Lottie, 

Is not more fair and bright 
Than the future to thy trustiwg soul 

Circled with golden light. 

The dream is very sweet, Lottie, 

Its waking oft times blest, 
And paths which lie in shadow 

Lead often unto rest; 
The thorns ne'er deeply wound, Lottie, 

Though they spring forever nigh, 
If we be securely clad, Lottie, 

In Faith's lioly panoply. 

Bright hours will come to thee, Lottie, 

And dark may mingled be, 
But all alike if blest, Lottie, 

Will thy spirit purify. 
'Tis an earnest wish of mine, Lottie, 

Thine a meek and quiet heart, 
Life a calm and peaceful journey, 

And thy choice "the better part." 



Beautiful, spotless page, thj^ pure expanse 
No hand hath marred, no wish unmeant or 
vain 

Hath left an impress for the nicest glance ; 
Thus may each leaf forever more remain. 

Not yet unwritten, but in beauty trac'd 



.U - t 

i NATIVE WOODS. 255 i 



Frieruiship and love their sacred (>fierii)<;s 
yield, 
Brig'ht with a ^lory time can ne'er efface, 
Of sweet foro^et-me-nots a blooming field. 

Be Thy fair volume ever dedicate 

To truth and memory in flowing ver^e, 
'Mid future scenes whose shadows o'er tliee 
cast, 
Thy •wealth of treasured lore, sometimes 
rehearse, 
That she who glances o'er these cherished 
names 
In the heart's tablet writ, may hasten to 
commune 
With tiie loved [)ast, and thee, and thou shalt 
he 
Unto her heart a sweet rememljered tune. 



The pearls of contentment are ornaments 
fitting- and beautiful on the brow of tho^e 
who claim this legacy, "My peace I leave 
with you." 



Wishes born of breath 

Are as transient and fleet; 
How shall be made immortal 

Ail that in life is sweet? 
Shall the beautiful visions 

We joyfully entertain, 
Die with this brief existence, 

Never to live again? 

Ours a glorious era, 
Glorious 'tis to be, 



^ 



.}. 



♦ 

i 2o0 IjE A FILETS FROM 



Ami tlip i-taiiip of noble rleeds 
Shall impress futurity; 

All that is o-rand in action, 
All that's sublime in thou^'-ht 

Is in our deathless bein«^ 
Mysteriously wrought. 

Dear one, herein is life 

Worthy our noblest aims, 
Say on the shining list 

We enter our humble nairies, 
In this imperfect sphere 

Seekinof no lasting' home, 
Working out here the problem 

Of blessed life to come. 



Call Friendship's roll 
For memory's sake, 
Adown its aisles 
The echoes wake, 
That faces dear 
And voices clear 
In coming time 
May answer, "Here.' 



"And a white stone with a new name be 
thy passport when rime shall end." 
Many wishes will be woven 

On these pages pure and fair, 
Summer-tried and WMnter-proven 

Names and memories they will wear; 
Some enshrined with love most sacred, 

Some which claim a passing thought, 



NATIVE WOODS. 



'3Iid theFii all though e'er so kindly 

Mine shall never be forgot. 
For I come with one so holy, 

That its beautiful bequest 
Shall enrich the heart that owneth, 

Make with its possession blest, 
Words are but its weaker symbols, 

But a wealth of meaning lies 
In its brief and simple sentence, 

Glory-bright to spirit eyes. 
Change is written* on the fairest 

Of our blessings here below, 
Oft the sweetest and the dearest 

While we gaze upon them, go; 
But this wish of mine would lead thee 

To a world of lasting bliss, 
And with such a blessed halo 

Gild thy pathway on through this. 
Love, thy life lamp, may desert thee, 

Fading into darksome night. 
But this wish of mine would lead thee 

ITnto Heaven's unfailing light. 
Ch^er thee, then, through waste or rose-path, 

Xobly thou perform thy part, 
And the new name shall be written 

Radiantly on thy heart. 



Circle^ are endless. Methinks Friendship 
hath like form, single or collective, less or 
greit^r, wheels within wheeh, wheels beside 
wheals, revolving smoothly, continually, 
eteniaMy. 



258 LEAFLETS FROM 

Blind-fold me and bring me roses- 
Can I tell the color by touch of the petals? 
Nay, but the white yields most delicate fra 

gr^nce, 
Carrie, be a white rose. 



Illuminate this autograph from memory 



To be a sunbeam would not he 

The height of human destiny, 

To be a star shining afar 

\Vould not be immortality ; 

But she who scatters wide and bright 

The glory of the solar light 

From a redeemed illumined soul, 

Shall wear a seraph's aureole. 



Let music ope 

Her mellow mysteries, 

To quicken Hope, 

Till life's dull practice shapes 

To chastened Jiieasure, 

Then shall your heart keep time 

To melody sublime. 

From a cloud of fleecy thought mist 

Rises a vision to me, 
I will try to sketch it plainly, 

Dear Lucy, that you may see; 
'Tis a young girl on the threshold 

Of life's sober labor-day, 
With one smiling glance cast backward, 

One wistful, up and away. 



^- 



* ♦ 

^ ^ 

NATIVE WOODS. • 259 



Briofht hopes in the distance beckon, 

Xew duties sternly await, 
Pleasures, a treacherous legion. 

Encompass a wicket gate; 
Above a strong One is bending 

With radiant love-lit eyes, 
Offering sweetly to guide her 

In safety to Paradise. 

Her face grows troubled and tender, 

Her eyes wear far-away look, 
She balances pearl and bauble 

On a slender huniiin hook, 
But suddenly grave resolve 

Is the joyful conqueror, 
And the waiting glorious King 

Has won a new messenger. 



A sunny temper and a gentle heart 
In all life's scenes bear a delightful part. 
No gifts nor graces can their place supply. 
All character they crown and beautify ; 
Accept ray friend, this tribute to your praise 
Your quiet spirit. raaketh glad your days. 



Let loving thoughts like fragrant fl(>we^^ 

SpriuiT from each opening page 

To brighten and bless the coming hours, 

And memory's treasures engage ; 

For thoughts like seeds have magical wings 

Out of which blossom wonderful things. 



I 2{;() LEAFLETS P^ROM 



In a fair cottage nestled by the sea 
A inaiden I luet and she pleaseth nie; 

They love her who playfully call "Jenny 
Wren," 
Her silver gray i)liunage suits cognomen, 

But merry and winsome, I beg you to mark 
I dub her more truly my song-ful lark. 



Little girls among the flowers 

Gaily live and blossom. 
All unmindful of the hopes 

Hidden in each bosom ; 
Rivaling the honey cups 

In beauty and sweetness. 
Needing plenteous sunshine 

To produce completeness. 

Some hearts-ease meek and lowly, 

Others snowy lilies rear, 
Some roses crimson-hearted, 

Daises the waysides cheer, 
All designed to grace and brighten 

Home, and life's severe ascent; 
Little woman, here's your cipher, 

Time shall unfold what is meant. 



As vines in gardens, through a genial season 
Reach living tendrils out to clasp each neigh- 
bor, 
So human love in happiest conditions 
Forms clinging rings crowning vigorous la- 
bor, 
So climbing by the upright, graceful run 
To hang their generous clusters in the sun. 



NATIVE WOODS. • 261 



We cannot measure every tiling by time, 
A year's leng^th is determined by events, 

One golden noon hour may contain the prime 
Of twenty-four or many, I say, hence 

Our friendship may be young, but it may hold 
In embryo ripe fruit of love untold. 



Who writes upon these spotless pages, writes 
A friend's fair signature, the heart indites 
Some tender thought or wish to cheer and 
bless. 
By this same token stands my friend con- 
fessed. 

The flowers of friendship are of various hue. 
The fragrance of the flowers distinct is too, 

I would forget-me-nots might have their place 
And stately lilies rise in regal grace. 

Wild roses on the waysides may abound — 
Choice hybrids in the garden plats are found, 

Vines seek the trellis, tufts adorn the -sod, 
Some creep, some climb, familiarly some 
nod. 

Gather me then a happy favorite. 
And all in emerald leaflets shall be set, 

A bower of verdure, a bright pyramid, 
Within which everlasting blooms are hid. 



We met from brilliant Southern skies. 
From Western thrift and enterprise, 
In dear New England's clas.-ic homes 
'Mid Art's and Nature's stately domes, 



262 LEAFLETS FROM 



The Summer fervor waxed and glowed — 
The metal yielded, flashed and flowed— 
Fusion sublime! out of which rolled 
Bands true as steel, and bright as gold. 



TO MY DARLINGS ALL. 
Herein is a marvellous thing — 
No matter how homely the nest. 
Out of rough straws or sticks fashioned, 
Cushioned with down from her breast. 
Bright plumage, sweet song or light wing— 
Mother-bird loves all the best. 



In this consecrated place 
One small signature I trace, 
First in Love's immortal line- 
Human link to Love Divine, 
Changeless, tender, lavish, free- 
Crowning thee invisibly ; 
After mine, sweet Friendship bring 
Every precious ofi'ering. 



Hence this spotless page will wear 
My impression, daughter dear- 
Luminous with love the text, 
Copious notes from life annexed ; 
By this token surely know 
Only blessing I bestow, 
Happy if my name should be 
A perpetual legacy. 



^ ^ 



I NATIVE WOODS. 263 



IN ]M E M O R I A M . 

[nKI.I.IK r.., DAVGHTEK OF N. B. AND M..J. G01-L1>. DIED IK.l'.KUA IIY 
1879, AGED 15 YEARS AND 4 M0NTI18.] 

PEELUDE. 

Among the birds of ISummer 
While Summer clays were long, 

Came one of radiant wing 
Singing my heart this song: 



SONG OF INQUIRY. 

Oh ! unquiet spirit 

Wherefore repining? 
Lo(/k up and consider 

Whence this clear shining, 
These tremulous shadows, 

This soft brooding mist, 
This world of enchantment, 

Cloud-shielded, sun-kissed. 

Where wert thou that first morn 

When Chaos fleeing, 
Order and Beauty sprung 

Into new being? 
When like a starry gem 

Out of boundless space 
This finished planet 

Rolled to its place? 



T 

I 264 LEAFLETS FROM 



Who.^e steady hand of power 

Uplifted and lit 
This brilliant firmament? 

By whom were bounds set 
To the upper waters 

And Ocean's gate shut ? 
Who wrapped stately forests 

In one little nut? 

What is the utmost stretch 

Of thy finite mind? 
How far off is yon sky? 

What color or kind 
Is the wing of thy thought? 

Whose resonant breath 
Through myriad murm'ring pipes 

Melody waketh? 

Where was this vast green dyed 

Such exquisite shade ? 
Of what are these leaflets 

Of what roses made? 
Whose wondrous skill fashioned 

Each cTelicate flower, 
Of choice tint and odor 

Gave its own dower? 

Where is the Summer's life 

When 'neath many fold 
Of snowy coverlet 

Sleeps the silent mold? 
These branches stripped and bare, 

Forms of beauty fled. 



NATIVE WOODS. 265 



Can breath or spirit be 
In aught cold and dead? 

Didst ever one small seed 

On Earth's bosom fling 
And patiently await 

Timely unfolding? 
Who packed garments of praise 

In this compass small, 
Keeping distinct— perfect — 

Fit clothing for all? 

What assurance hast thou 

That another day 
Shall from the glowing East 

Scatter night away ? 
Canst thou serenely sleep 

Wrapped in mystery 
Trusting doubtful issues 

One wiser than we? 

■^ Tf -X- -JS- 

A rustle in the tree top — 

Quivering in the air, 
As of lifted wing— twilight 

And silence settled there. 
My melodious singer 

Sought I vainly and long; 
Among the birds of Summer 

Are none who carol his song. 



A SCENE OF INFANCY. 

I have found a nest, beloved, 
A beautiful swinging nest ; 



266 LEAFLETS EROM 



Stay, while I peep in a moment, 
At the hird in downy rest. 

Art waiting ? I cannot away 
For this nest reveals to me 

My title to untold possessions. 
Through blessed maternity. 

Was ever Mother so happy ? 

Was ever a babe so fair? 
From the tips of her dainty feel 

To her crown of golden hair? 
Sleeping— silken 'fringed curtains 

Droop o'er each oval cheek, 
Waking— through depths of clear azure 

Bright glimpses of Heaven break. 

The glow of golden October^' 

Prefigures rosy and warm 
Love's inellow Indian Summer 

As I clasp this cherub form ; 
Clothe her in delicate raiment, 

Lull her to sweet repose ; — 
She is as fair as a iily, 

She is as fresh as a rose. 

My blossom! No bud of Flora 

Rivals your openinjj: charms, 
Yet why this tremulous shrinking 

As hid in my sheltering arms. 
Swift shadows like clouds sweep over 

While tear-drops gather as rain. 
And the sweet lips' sorrowful quiver 

Tenderness cannot retain. 

^Birthday October 'iOth. 



-^ 



-A^ 

— ♦ 

NATIVE WOODS. ' 207 



Earth-born, therefore suVijeet to pain- 
Human, exposed to sin- 
Arms everh\sting and loving 

From harm dose my darling in. 
Her wonderful three-fold nature 

Ceaseless mystery covers, 
There's something baffles possession, 
And invisible hovers 

In unconscious grace of movement, 

In the winsome warbling tone 
Which never knew written language, 

Which is neither speech nor song. 
Ours— yet unknown— undetermined 

Her future— rocked to rest- 
Love's white veil I drop with a prayer 

Lightly o'er my swinging nest. 



GIRLHOOD. 

A ripple of girlish laughter— 

Of merry voices a hum- 
Confused elastic footsteps, 

And hither from school they come, 
A half dozen blushing lasses 

With health and beauty aglow, 
Which of the blue-eyed sisters 

Do you think is Nellie now? 

Can you trace her infant promise 

In her full and open brow? 
Can you see the rose and lily 

Blend in her bloom just now? 
This way, my daughter— here's a friend 

Who loved you in earlier days, 



^ 



f- — - 

I 268 LEAFLETS FROM 



Greet her as dear love becoineth, 
She's speakinj^ already your praise. 

Sit by me while we look backward, 

You cannot measure at all 
What the swift years have been doing 

She is fifteen and so tall. 
Aye, a companion and helper, 

For not in stature alone 
Have the good graces been lavish 

And she their favored one. 

Pardon our natural feeling 

Of tender parental pride, 
For she shares our mature counsels 

Helpful and buoyant beside. 
With deft hands skillfully fashions 

Little devices of grace. 
These rutiied wools on the mantel— 

This airy castle in place. 

Her pure transparent complexion 

Symbols her innocence well. 
Thought's swift expressions betraying 

No art or guile to conceal ; 
Questions important and weighty 

She has considered we know- 
That she has reached wise conclusions 

We read in her peaceful brow. 

She's pleased with tasteful attire, 
And treasures beautiful things. 

But couples a happy temper 
With all that contentment brings. 



NATIVE WOODS. , 269 



Quiet — affectionate— meek— 

I fancy a year ap:o 
Some silent mysterious change 

In her heart began to grow. 

She had been hearing the story 

Oft told of Jesus so mild, 
And some one tenderly asked her 

If she would not be His child ; 
She is reticent, and confession 

Not easily frames itself word— 
I judge her daily demeanor 

More than anything I have heard. 

'Tis pleasant to find her endowed 

With intellect keen and clear, 
And shape her a brilliant future 

In places other than here; 
As over the broad thoroughfare 

With modest self-possessed mein 
E'en strangers are won in converse 

Of what she has thought and seen. 

She is faithful to the fair band 

In week day and Sabbath class, 
Together they sit and study 

Clasping each other they pass, 
Merry, sportive, lithesome maidens 

Chatting, flitting joyously 
Gathering the wayside honey 

For sweet uses by and by. 

The home coming murmer rises 
Day fades in the golden West, 



270 LEAFI.ETS FROM 



A- 



We gather its fresh surprises 

With ourselves into Home's loved nest: 
Ere to our separate slumber 

Weary— we trustfully go 
Touch the keys of Music, Nellie, 

And voicy their silvery flow. 



CLOSING LIFE. 

Nellie is drooping— lethargy 

Over her quick senses creeps, 
I'll hasten this dainty wrapper 

For she oft grows weary and sleeps. 
To-day as she sat softly playing, 

A favorite plaintive air 
Floatmg like far-away music 

And awed me with a vague fear. 

Here is her last little fancy — 

A delicate zephyr mat— 
The pattern she meant to improve 

I see she has raveled that. 
A flutfy heap on the table 

She threw it carelessly by 
Her fingers forget their wont cunning, 

Let it unfinished lie. 

■s- 4f * -;c- -x- 

What augur these swift changiiag scenes? 

Uubidden— forbidden they come; 
What dark wing of mystery broods 

Over our dear happy home ? 
Backward my thought strangely flutters 

To her helpless infancy. 



NATIVE WOODS. ' 271 

Her head on my bosom is pillowed, 
Pier fond love embraces me. 

Unselfish— submissive- -resigned, 

Her sweet and tender words come 
Dropping balm on my aching heart 

Under this great sorrow dumb ; 
Just now a quick recognition 

Illumined her changing face, 
But alas! she has fallen asleep 

Unheeding her Father's kiss. 

W istful— tearful— serious class 

To Sabbath lesson turning— 
This hour has a difficult page 

For unaided human learning; 
The shortest month in the circle,^- 

Compresses a lifelong pain, 
Out of our lives we have given 

Our Nellie to God again. 



4 



REQUIEM. 

Make room in your secret chambers 

Ye roots of the sleeping flow^ers ! 
Our dear one seeks lowly exit 

To a fairer clime than ours ; 
White lies the snow o'er the valley. 

But on the far hill-top this mornf 
The welcome incoming Sovereign 

The right royal Spring is born. 

Sleep sweetly, beloved, in hope, 
As sure as from this dull clay 

>Died Feliruary 23d. fBinial March 1st. 



272 



LEAFLETS FROM 



Shall visions of loveliness rise, 
Is your resurrection tlay ; 

The power which creates and renews 
The wonderful vistas we see, 

Purposes deeper and higher 
Envelops in niystery. 

Blessed lilies! brave lilies! weave 
Your living forms pure as snow 

Into garlands and fragrant pillows 
Around— above— and below — 

Fit emblems of love's devotion- 
Love's willing sacrifice prove. 

Faith triunjphing o'er the mortal 
Reposes in infinite love. 

Camhimdge, Jvi.y, 1879. 





